The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2016.04.12
4.11 The Deputy of St. Ouen of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the timetable for lodging a proposition on the choice of a site for the new hospital:
Will the Minister set out his proposed timetable leading to the lodging of a proposition on the choice of a site for the new hospital?
Senator A.K.F. Green (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
We do not want to rush these things, do we? [Laughter] States Members will be aware that following the decision by the Council of Ministers to withdraw the People's Park site, that a period of reflection is underway in relation to the site selection for the future hospital. The Deputy and other States Members kindly attended a workshop organised as part of this period of reflection on 21st March and they will be aware now how complex the matter is and how difficult it is to resolve. But I was encouraged that so many Members accepted the need for significant investment in the new hospital and took part in that workshop. The further workshop is planned for 28th April for those Members who were unable to attend due to prior commitments, such as Scrutiny hearings, and then I will continue my discussions with fellow Ministers and draw up a new timetable based on that information.
- The Deputy of St. Ouen :
How does the Minister respond to the degree of bewilderment on the part of Islanders who were urged to engage in an active consultation over 4 best options of which 3 still remain? What remains of that consultation and how long does the Minister need for further reflection?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
I need a bit longer. I said that I would engage with Back-Benchers, there seemed to be an element of goodwill following the withdrawal of the People's Park site, and I want to capitalise on that goodwill and work with the Back-Benchers who stated before that they were partially upset because they had not been involved in reaching that decision. With regard to the 3 other sites, the period of engagement that we did undertake, people were asking us, including States Members, to revisit some of the sites, not to carry out expensive reviews, or anything like that, but to revisit some of the sites to see whether it would be appropriate to look at them differently. I want to involve States Members in that work. We had an excellent workshop on 21st March; I want to involve the remaining States Members if they are able to attend on 28th April, and then I will come back. We are closer than we have ever been, I believe, to finding an acceptable solution.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Given that the Deputy of St. John has asked my question very eloquently ... St. Ouen ; I think did I say St. John ? Did not mean any offence. [Laughter]
The Deputy Bailiff :
I am sure no offence would be imputed, Deputy , in either direction, I am sure. Deputy M. Tadier :
I know there is a Parish separating them, and that is probably for good reason. Is it that the only conclusion that the public can come to over the fact that we had 4 perfectly good options on the table that the Minister was so adamant that he wanted to consult on and that these have been now withdrawn is because the consultation was nothing other than a sham and they had an outcome which they already knew, and when they realised that they could not get the public on board with their single preferred option that it had to go back to the drawing board. Is that not the reasonable conclusion?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
No, and it was not that we could not get the public on board; I was not convinced that the States were prepared to see the People's Park considered by the public.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Does the Minister accept that they are not necessarily mutually exclusive, that States Members, including ones who are normally whipped very effectively by his Chief Minister, were not able to be whipped on this occasion because they were listening to the public for a change? Perhaps that is a piece of advice that the more general Council of Ministers could do with in their general policies going forward in the next couple of years.
Senator A.K.F. Green:
The Member is entitled to his views, but that is not one I share.
Deputy S.Y. Mézec :
My question was almost word for word the one that the Deputy of St. Ouen has asked.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
Can the Minister confirm that, therefore, it is still his intention that we will have a decision on the new hospital site before the end of this year?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
Yes.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton of St. Helier :
Can the Minister confirm that he is considering sites in the green zone?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
It is a possibility that I may consider sites in the green zone. I have yet to have the second workshop, as I said, to do with other States Members who may wish me to look at that, or they may wish me to look at other things.
- The Deputy of St. Ouen :
Many of us, I am sure all of us, who attended the first workshop that the Minister arranged, were grateful for the explanation of the process involved but if, as the Minister has said, it is his intention to have a decision on the site by the end of the year, can he give us now a more detailed timetable that goes beyond 28th April; just 12 days' time?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
I have not had that workshop with the remaining States Members; when I have done that and I have had a chance to talk about it with the Council of Ministers then I will produce my timetable. This is the biggest capital project the States has ever seen; if we take a little bit longer to get it right for the people of Jersey, then so be it.