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2019.11.12
11 Deputy I. Gardiner of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding community
facilities at the old tea factory building: (OQ.273/201)
Will the Minister explain what plans, if any, are in place to maintain and improve the community facilities at the Old Tea Factory building?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Infrastructure):
The O.T.C. (Overseas Trading Corporation) building houses the First Tower youth project on the ground floor and has 2 areas of government storage archives on the first floor. The building frontage and original fixtures have a heritage status. J.P.H. (Jersey Property Holdings) has repaired the roof and completed significant repairs to the windows on the front elevation within the last 5 years. There is a lease of the space used by the youth club to the charity that runs it and, therefore, they have responsibility for internal repairs, with Jersey Property Holdings performing the mandatory cyclical maintenance element of the whole property. There are no plans for any capital works on the property.
- Deputy I. Gardiner :
Would the Minister agree that to put this responsibility on the small charity is not right for the Government? Also, does the Minister know that this particular building, used by the community, completely does not comply with discrimination law?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
If the Deputy would explain how it breaches the discriminatory law, but I think anything outside of this - we are providing the building - would not be part of my personal remit. I am not sure if the Deputy needs to approach other bodies for funding for expanding the facility.
- Deputy R.J. Ward :
Given the greater understanding we have of the need for community services right in the centre of our communities, does the Minister believe that using the top 2 floors for storage of files is the best use of this facility, or would it not be best to increase the community access to those 2 floors and, therefore, improve facilities in the area?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I do not believe we have been approached regarding this before, but I am more than happy to look at it if the leaseholders concerned would like to approach us, or the Deputies would like to approach us, with any plans. We are more than happy to look at it if they can find the funding.