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3.2 Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the future of the Plémont headland:
I declare an interest as a Member of the National Trust Council. In the light of his
answer on 28th April 2009, would the Minister outline the outcome of the meeting announced for early May between himself and the architects from Northern Trust, the developers of the Plémont headland.
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf (The Minister for Treasury and Resources):
Can I ask the Assistant Minister with responsibility for property, Deputy Le Fondré, to answer the question?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré of St. Lawrence (Assistant Minister for Treasury and
Resources - rapporteur):
A fairly short answer. Following an exchange of letters between the architects acting for Northern Trust and my department, and because of various commitments of the time, the meeting has been rescheduled for 28th May.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Would the Assistant Minister not acknowledge that the meeting, according to the Minister for Treasury and Resources's answer to me of a couple of weeks ago, was scheduled for 6th or 7th, or was going to be scheduled for 6th or 7th May? Would he give his definition, given the terms of the Constable of St. Ouen 's proposition of 22nd October 2008, of "active negotiations"?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
The meeting was originally scheduled for 6th or 7th May, but as these things happen from time to time there were various problems, I believe, on both sides in terms of trying to get everybody together on the right day which is why it has been rescheduled. Speaking personally, anyone trying to get bookings in at relatively short notice for certain individuals will find how full their diaries are because of the very
urgent and pressing commitments we all have. In terms of the nature of negotiations,
I am afraid negotiations of this type do take time and do take careful consideration and it does require a willingness on both sides of the platform to negotiate.
- Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier :
Could the Assistant Minister give an assurance that even under the words of the proposition of the Constable of St. Ouen these negotiations do not involve millions of tax-payer's money to buy Plémont headland?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
No, you are not going to get Plémont headland for a pound.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
In terms of the Assistant Minister's definition of active negotiations will he say when the first approach was made after the Constable of St. Ouen's proposition was approved on 22nd October 2008? When was the active part of the negotiations initiated?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
I am just trying to look at a reference. I believe there was a meeting in early January and it was subsequent to that, that further correspondence was received in, I will say, April or May to be general which has then resulted in the further meeting that is being planned.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Just a final question. Would the Assistant Minister comment on a proposal that has been made to the Minister for Treasury and Resources as a way of perhaps dealing with the kind of concern implicit in Deputy Martin's question? Would he comment on a proposal that has been made for the use, for example, of dormant bank account monies as one of the approaches to this particular project?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
Unfortunately, I cannot comment because I am purely responsible for property and that is definitely a matter for the Minister.
- Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour :
It was suggested some time ago the possibility of a land swap. Is this possibility still on the table?
Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
I think it says that all possibilities will be considered and if we get to the point that a deal that is reasonable can be negotiated and allows for that as part of that then obviously we will consider those matters, but that, I think, is a little way off.