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4.8 Deputy F.J. Hill of St. Martin of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding the construction of a new school on Field 327A in St. Martin :
Further to the Minister's written answer on 29th March regarding the construction of a new school on Field 327A in St. Martin where no mention was made of an area of land being found to replace the football pitches currently being used by the school and Parish football teams, will he inform Members whether an alternative area has been found, and if not what proposals does he have in mind?
The Deputy of St. Ouen (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture):
I can advise Members that Field 327A in St. Martin is sufficiently large enough to accommodate both the new school building and a playing field that will meet the approved standards for children of primary school age. At this stage it is difficult to determine whether the field will be able to accommodate a full size playing field for use by St. Martin's Football Club as we will need to await the outcome of the planning brief, and the subsequent development of detailed plans for the school building. I can however assure the Deputy that my department, Property Holdings, and the Parish of St. Martin have already discussed this matter. If necessary we will work with the Parish to identify a suitable site for the club's activities in the future. Thank you.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Is the Minister aware of an undertaking given by the Minister for Treasury and Resources on 6th December last year, when the Minister stated he had discussed the funding of the new school with the Minister for Planning and Environment and the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, and that no moneys would be spent until all issues including the football pitches and playing areas of St. Martin are secure before anything got underway. That being so, will the Minister inform Members why plans are being advanced without an alternative football pitch or playing area being identified?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
I have just explained to my friend the Deputy in my original answer that until we have a clear indication of exactly the area that the school is going to require to be built on we will not know the remaining space that is available for the football pitch and, again, in my written answer last week I spelt out the main project phases that were required. We have just started the process and I believe it is sufficient - more than sufficient time - to deal with any issues regarding the relocation of the football club if, and I say that if, that is required.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
I would not have thought it took a genius to realise that you cannot get a football pitch
for the adults and a football pitch for the children, and a school on that field. It is my
understanding that no one in Education has informed the actual Parish football club of its intentions to construct a school on its pitch. Will the Minister inform Members why there has been no consultation whatsoever with the Parish football team, and what action does he take to rectify that position?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
First of all our priority is to the school and the children within it, and we have made that very clear right from the word go with any discussions that we have had, both with the Parish and Property Holdings and others. We are also aware that the football club may need to be accommodated at an alternative site. The Parish has undertaken to enter discussions with them and we have offered our support in that process. There is still a reasonable time to go before any decisions regarding the new school will be taken and the process will continue, and discussions will take place with the football club. I am disappointed that the Deputy has not recognised the attempts that both the Parish and the department are making because I believe he has had correspondence with a member of the Village Green group in St. Martin, who has explained exactly what is planned.