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1240/5(3462)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE BY DEPUTY G.C.L. BAUDAINS OF ST. CLEMENT
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2007 Question
Would the Minister advise, in relation to the proposed National Gallery' –
( a ) w hether a business plan has been completed;
( b ) the likely capital cost;
( c ) the estimated annual maintenance costs;
( d ) the estimated annual running costs;
( e ) w hether the public will be consulted as to whether they want such a facility?
Answer
Education, Sport and Culture is the States Department charged in the Cultural Strategy with responsibility for championing the arts and our Island heritage. Following publication of drawings showing what a gallery might look like at the Weighbridge, I can confirm that work is currently being undertaken by the Department. Its purpose is to set out sufficient detail to enable the production of a business plan.
Because that plan has not yet been produced, it is too early to comment on the specific issues raised in the question, but I confirm that consideration of those issues will, as one would expect, form an important part of the plan. As importantly, the plan will address not only the costs involved but also methods of providing for those costs, in particular through the involvement of the private sector. Before I took forward any such proposals, I would wish to be satisfied that the data provided was robust, and that resources were available to provide for the on-going costs of operation, as well as for the capital cost.
As I have indicated, the proposals, such as currently exist, are at an early stage of development. A number of stakeholders have contributed views thus far, and I am also grateful to the Minister for Economic Development for the support of his Department in agreeing to assess the economic potential of such a facility to the Island. When more information is available on the gallery as a whole, it will be important that the detail is available publicly so that views can be expressed and taken account of.