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3.14 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding plans for the use or disposal of the St. Saviour 's Hospital buildings:
Will the Assistant Minister advise what plans there are for the use or disposal of the St. Saviour 's Hospital building?
Deputy E.J. Noel (Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources - rapporteur):
The southern part of St. Saviour 's Hospital site comprises of Queen's House and a number of older detached buildings associated with the former Queen's Farm which occupied the site before the construction of St. Saviour's Hospital. Queen's House is currently used for storage and houses the telephonic and data equipment for the whole of the St. Saviour 's site. Two other buildings on the site, Orchard House and Maison du Lac, provide services to patients. The former nursing home and the building known as the Dolls House are used for storage materials and records. The future use of St. Saviour's Hospital forms part of a wider ongoing asset management plan being progressed by Jersey Property Holdings for the Health and Social Services Department. This work will identify what, if any, future operational uses would be suitable for the properties and how best to provide for the Health and Social Services Department's current and future needs. Until the asset plan has been completed, it is not possible to be definitive with regards to the future use of these sites. Should the operational uses be relocated, the site would be available for disposal or redevelopment.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
With specific reference to Queen's House, which I think we all agree is a unique and, I think, very attractive building, does he agree that use for storage of such a building is not an effective use for that particular edifice?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
As I said, it is being temporarily used for storage and some training facilities there, but it also occupies the telecommunications and the data equipment for the whole of the site. Until operational uses are removed from the whole of the site, unfortunately, we have to maintain ownership and use of the Queen's House building.
Deputy M. Tadier :
It may have been implicit, but I did ask whether it was an efficient use of that building. Deputy E.J. Noel:
No, that building could be used in many ways, but until we have defined what the other operational uses of the Health and Social Services Department are, we are not able to progress matters with regard to that particular building.
- Deputy S.G. Luce of St. Martin :
This is the second building that we have discussed this morning during question time, along with La Folie and St. Saviour 's Hospital.
[11:15]
We have a number of States-owned properties that are remaining empty, generating no income; costing us money to maintain and insure. Is the Assistant Minister satisfied with this policy? Does he not think it is unacceptable to have these high-value States-owned properties doing absolutely nothing for long periods of time?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
I am afraid I have to agree with the Deputy of St. Martin, it is unacceptable and that is why Property Holdings has been working tirelessly over the last few years to ensure that we make progress on these sites; there are too many and they need to be resolved.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
I know in another incarnation the rapporteur was very concerned about the state of staff housing on the St. Saviour 's site. I wonder, can he confirm that the long-trumpeted move of this housing to the housing authority is underway and can he tell us when it will take place?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
Unfortunately, that is not really a property question per se, the stumbling block is really an H.R. (human resources) issue and we need to deal with that issue, which is a Health and Social Services Department problem, and then the property will follow suit.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
I wonder if the rapporteur could define what he means by an "H.R." issue?" Deputy E.J. Noel:
The property that is currently in the Health and Social Services Department's housing stock is not best placed there, and I think we all agree with that. It is at subsidised or well-below market rents, and that is due to its condition. That needs to be reflected in the remuneration packages of those individuals that are occupying those premises, and that is why it is an H.R. issue not a property issue.
- The Deputy of St. Ouen :
The Assistant Minister, in answer to a previous question, spoke about an asset plan that was currently being undertaken. Could he inform this Assembly when it is going to be completed?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
We aim to have that completed with our colleagues at the Health and Social Services Department by the third quarter of 2014.