News

Scrutiny assured Fort Regent sports clubs will not be displaced without new home

The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel held a public hearing today with the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham. The Panel focused their questions on the Minister's remit of the Government Plan 2022-25.

The Panel also heard from the Assistant Minister with responsibility for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Deputy Kirsten Morel and the Assistant Minister with responsibility for Sport, Deputy Hugh Raymond.

During the hearing, the Panel were informed that:

• The Minister intends to reset the cap on claims for Covid-19 business support schemes so businesses which have already reached maximum entitlement will be eligible to reclaim again
• On top of the nine-month extension to work permits, further overseas financial support for hospitality staff may be provided in the future
• The Minister reinforced that no sports clubs will be displaced from Fort Regent without having a new home allocated to them
• The Oakfield planning application has left the Government in a 'delayed position', yet it has chosen to rework the plans rather than appeal
• Les Quennevais skatepark is estimated to cost £1.8 million and is due to go to planning next month
• Assistant Minister says £814,000 is only adequate to cover the initial phase of project activity for the Inspiring Active Places Sports Strategy
• The Opera House is likely to reopen in the third quarter of 2022
• The Assistant Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage agreed that Elizabeth Castle could be better used in the future as a heritage attraction and a cultural and arts venue

Deputy David Johnson, Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Panel, said "We'd like to extend our thanks to the Minister, Assistant Ministers and Officers for their comments during today's hearing. The Panel received some useful clarification on the way in which public money is to be spent in the next few years in the areas of economic development, tourism, sport, and culture. We look forward to further updates from Ministers, particularly on the decant of sports facilities from Fort Regent."