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2.14 Deputy A.E. Jeune of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding an alternate site to Lime Grove House:
I think the one thing the Minister and I will agree on is efficient use of States resources, but to the question; does the Minister consider there is an alternate site to Lime Grove House and, if so, when was it identified, what will it cost and when will it be ready for occupation?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf (The Minister for Treasury and Resources):
Yes, within 2 weeks a solution, which I hope meets all the requirements of the police unlike Lime Grove House, which did have an element of compromise including the release of land for housing which will exceed that option for Lime Grove House. The original Lime Grove House option was going to be finally delivered in terms of the operational police requirements, the Rouge Bouillon cop shop' side, which is what it is called, was not going to be available in 2015. I am hopeful that within the available budget we will deliver all aspects of the police at an earlier timeframe that that. I hope we can improve upon the overall plan – overall - even though the back office will be delivered later.
- Deputy A.E. Jeune :
When can the police move their books and papers and paperclips in? Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
Basically, if we identify a site, put a planning application in, I suppose that one could be building, if it is on States-owned land, one could be building, realistically, within 12 months by the end of next year, 2½ year build, including the Category A fit-out. It is going to be delivered at some point, hopefully by 2014 or early 2015 which, in some cases, is, I hope, going to be earlier for the operational Police H.Q. without the compromise and better value. I will address the Assembly on detailed matters of this when I am in a position after consulting with my friend, the Minister for Home Affairs, on the options.
The Bailiff :
Just 2 questions on this.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I would just like to ask the Minister whether he believes that the whole fiasco with Lime Grove House just left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
It has a bit, bluntly. I am disappointed. I do not like arguing with Ministers in public. I do not like having to make difficult decisions and I do not like dealing with ... Alistair Darling spoke of almost the sort of whispering campaign that goes on with some aspects and people in your own team are whispering against you. I do not like that. It is never nice for people to have that. But looking forward, I am optimist, I am a team player and I am going to find a solution which delivers economy and value.
- Senator T.J. Le Main:
I am rather bemused by the Minister for Treasury and Resources who says a planning application can go in and get approval yet Property Holdings have taken 5 years for Lesquende with about 20 or 30 various applications that have failed miserably in achieving much needed housing approval for that site. What makes him confident that things are going to change for the better?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
Because I am an optimist and confident and I now think that the changes that are being made, the improved communication, the clarity of role and the closer interest is going to deliver. We need to break-down what has been some excellent work on feasibilities but we need to break that into deliverable projects as opposed to just feasibility studies, that is the difference.
- Deputy A.E. Jeune :
How much is it going to cost and where is it going to be? Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
As much as the Deputy would like me to say now, I am not going to raise expectations in relation to the site. We have got 2 short-listed sites which a lot of work is going on to and it is going to be within the budget that this Assembly has passed and that was not the case for the previous plan. That is in the region of ... I will send Members a number of notes on this so that they are aware. I think the overall budget is ... Senator Le Gresley kindly passed for me, I think the budget that has been set is £19 million. We should jolly well be able to deliver a police station for £19 million.