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2.14 Deputy G.P. Southern of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the progress made in commencing the Millennium Town Park project:
What progress, if any, has the Minister made on the commencement of the Millennium Town Park project and securing appropriate levels of funding and will he update Members on the current state of the car park trading fund and advise the Assembly whether any funds remain earmarked for the Town Park?
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
In June this year a cross-departmental officer group chaired by Transport and Technical Services was set up to consider the options available for delivering the Town Park. An interim progress report will be considered by the Council of Ministers on 29th November. The report will include details of budgets and timescales for relocation of the current car parking, remediation of the contaminated ground at present on the site and the construction of a new Town Park. However, may I emphasise, Sir, that the car park trading fund will be funding the new Ann Court car park but
will not fund the Town Park. Also note that the trading fund has not and never has had a sum of money allocated to the Town Park project. With reference to the Deputy 's question about the current state of the car park trading fund I can advise him that it is robust and details of the accounts are available if he requests them.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Will the Minister further advise Members in what form he will be seeking funding for progressing the Millennium Town Park as soon as possible and when his target date is for starting on that work?
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:
Control of the Town Park project has gone in different directions. I believe starting with the former Environment Planning Public Services Committee more recently it has been under the ambience of the Chief Minister's Department and has only recently come under my auspices. At this point I am not in a position to make an accurate response to the Deputy 's request.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
When will the Minister return to the House with some form of accurate, or inaccurate, response to my questions?
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye: I do not know, Sir.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
I find that most unsatisfactory since there is a report, in the Minister's words, going to the Council of Ministers on 29th November and yet he cannot suggest when he might be coming to this House to comment on progress and funding, in particular, and start dates for a Millennium Town Park since the Millennium is already 7 years past.
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:
I am very well aware of this year's timescale and dateline. The fact is that I like to progress on the basis of solid facts and I do not like to indulge in speculation.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton of St. Helier :
Would it be fair to say that the Town Park Project is on track, subject to funding, and should be delivered in 2010/2011 as indicated in the strategic plan?
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:
Yes, it might be fair to say that, Sir, but clearly the Millennium Town Park project is not on track. It is already 7 years out of date.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton:
That may well be, Sir, but will the Minister confirm that subject to the additional funding, which hopefully will be confirmed by the Council of Ministers, that the Town Park will be delivered as laid out in the Strategic Plan?
Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:
I am not prepared to make a commitment, Sir, on the delivery of the Town Park, to a set date at this time.