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3.7 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding the decision to remove the children's play area at Les Quennevais Playing Fields:
Will the Minister advise when a decision was made to remove the children's play area at Les Quennevais playing fields and why?
The Deputy of St. John (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture): My Assistant Minister, Deputy Roy Le Hérissier, will answer this question. Deputy M. Tadier :
Normally I request that oral questions that I submit can only be answered by the Minister and not by any Assistant Ministers. Nonetheless, presumably as the Assistant Minister in this case has the paperwork I would be willing to accept the answer from him.
The Deputy of St. John :
He has more than the paperwork. He has political responsibility for the areas concerned. The Bailiff :
Let us crack on.
Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (Assistant Minister for Education, Sport and Culture -
rapporteur):
The decision was taken in January 2013 following an inspection by the surveyors who undertake annual inspections at the behest of Property Services. The items were removed in April. The matter was put on the capital minor budget for 2014 but given the very good representations, I should add, and the very relevant representations from the Deputy for that area we are trying to see whether we can move it back to the 2013 minor capital budget.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Can I thank the Assistant Minister for his diligent work in this area? We would certainly appreciate, I believe, speaking on behalf of certainly all the Parish representatives, for this to be put back. It is missed so as soon as possible. Can I ask what consultation was done with stakeholders, including Parish representatives but also the users of that area, before the equipment was removed?
Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
As far as I am aware, there was no consultation simply because the removal was done on the basis that the equipment was dangerous. It had deteriorated beyond the point of usability and, as such, it had to be removed on health and safety grounds, I am afraid. Hence our wish that it be replaced as soon as possible, but then that will offer an excellent opportunity for consultation as to the kind of equipment and the nature of the equipment that should be put in its place.
- Deputy J.H. Young:
Would the Assistant Minister confirm or would he agree that at the site at the moment is a fenced grass area devoid of anything in it? Would he be prepared to put a "watch this space" sign or something of that nature and his commitment that something is coming soon?
Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Yes, we would even be prepared to put a statue of the Deputy of St. Brelade [Laughter] if it helps his popularity. But he is quite right, the sign at the moment is very curt and it does need to be expanded upon.
Deputy M. Tadier :
Can I just ask which Deputy the statue will be of? [Laughter]
Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
We would be prepared for a group sculpture.