Allocation of the former States of Jersey Police Headquarters site to Rouge Bouillon School (P.43/2021) – Amendment (P.43/2021 Amd.) – Amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

ALLOCATION OF THE FORMER STATES OF JERSEY POLICE HEADQUARTERS SITE TO ROUGE BOUILLON SCHOOL (P.43/2021) – AMENDMENT (P.43/2021 AMD.) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 16th July 2021 by Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.43 Amd.Amd.

ALLOCATION OF THE FORMER STATES OF JERSEY POLICE HEADQUARTERS SITE TO ROUGE BOUILLON SCHOOL (P.43/2021):

AMENDMENT (P.43/2021 AMD.) – AMENDMENT ____________

1  PAGE 2, PART 1 –

After the word "alternative site" for the words "can be" substitute the word "is". 2  PAGE 2, PART 2 –

1. Replace the word government' with the word States';
2. After the words " St. Helier " insert the words "and St. Saviour"; and
3. For all the words after the word "until", substitute the words "the strategic review of the education estate of St. Helier and St. Saviour is completed, and sites  are  allocated  and  approved  for  modern  standard  primary  schools according to the educational needs of these Parishes".

DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER

Note:  After this amendment, the amendment would read as follows –

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –

After the word "spaces" insert the words ", unless an alternative site is identified and allocated for the provision of a modern standard primary school in St. Helier " and, after the word "incorporation" substitute the word "the" with the word "this" and, after the word "project", insert the word "funding";

2  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

Designate the existing paragraph as paragraph (a) and, after this paragraph, insert the following new paragraph –

"(b) that no site in States ownership that is suitable for a modern standard

primary school in St. Helier and St. Saviour should be allocated for another purpose until the strategic review of the education estate of St. Helier and St. Saviour is completed, and sites are allocated and approved for modern standard primary schools  according to the educational needs  of these Parishes."

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

1. to agree that the former States of Jersey Police headquarters site should be allocated for the expansion of Rouge Bouillon primary school and for the provision of community spaces, unless an alternative site is identified and allocated for the provision of a modern standard primary school in St. Helier and  to request  the  Council  of  Ministers  to take  the  necessary  steps, including a timeframe for delivery, and the incorporation of the project funding within the Government Plan 2022-2025;
2. that no site in government ownership that is suitable for a modern standard primary school in St. Helier and St. Saviour should be allocated for another purpose until the strategic review of the education estate of St. Helier and St. Saviour is completed, and sites are allocated and approved for modern standard  primary  schools  according  to  the  educational  needs  of  theseParishes.

REPORT

I can see why we need flexibility for the part (a) of the Minister's amendment, after meeting with several stakeholders. As per Minister's report, this amendment seeks to maintain and protect the potential allocation of the former States of Jersey Police Headquarters site to be used for Rouge Bouillon School, if that is the most appropriate site, but it also acknowledges that options should be thoroughly and quickly considered before any final site allocation is concluded.

Whilst my amendment in Part (a) may seem minor, it ensures that the Headquarters site is allocated for the expansion of Rouge Bouillon school (the "School") unless a specific alternative site is identified. The change in wording is intended to provide certainty in respect of the identification of an alternative site.

We have different views when it comes to part (b).

We live on small island. I cannot see that there would be any surprises in relation to new sites for development as a result of the ongoing review of the education estate. In reality, the number of serious contenders for an alternative site for primary schools in both St. Helier and St. Saviour is not high. The criteria for such a site must include sufficient outdoor space, and space for sports facilities in addition to fit for purposes school buildings.

There will always be competing priorities for large development sites.

However, there are a number of primary schools in St. Helier , and indeed in St. Saviour , which are built on sites that are no longer fit for purpose. Education sites that lack outdoor play space, lack sports facilities and have out of date buildings such as Rouge Bouillon, Springfield, and St Luke's. Looking at the school estate within St. Helier has also highlighted those schools on the boundaries of the parish – schools in urban areas that are used by both St Helier and St Saviour and which need space and facilities. This is why I feel it important to expand the strategic vision for the education estate to St Saviour, and to ensure a joined-up approach between the parishes.

There is a need for at least two 3-form entry (North and South) or 3 form entries primary schools in these areas (or potentially in another configuration).

As the Minister indicated in his report: the review of the Town Primary School Estate is  nearing  completion.  The  importance  of  the  outcome  of  this  review  cannot  be understated as this will inform the decisions which need to be made in respect of the feasibility of school extensions, new schools and use of sites within the Government property portfolio in the town vicinity, including addressing issues such as catchment areas, and the delivery of appropriate outdoor space with consideration of National guidance.

We need to think strategically going forward. There are more residential developments are on the way and in the pipeline - we need to ensure that there is a sufficient Education infrastructure to serve the future residents of the area.

This amendment seeks to ensure that the Rouge Bouillon site will be considered as part of an overall strategic review and not be given away without consideration of all needs for St Helier and St Saviour.

Allocate sites now, plan in advance and hopefully we will have modern standard primary schools in St Helier and St Saviour.

Members are urged to support this amendment to avoid the loss of the appropriate sites through a lack of strategic thinking.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no financial and manpower implications resulting from this amendment CRIA assessment

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the P.43/2021 Child Rights Impact Assessment. It is considered that this amendment is still demonstrably positive for children and young people, aiming to provide an increase in education estate and to force positive action in this regard.