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21.06.29
13 Senator S.W. Pallett of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport
and Culture regarding Sports Division Refurbishment (OQ.144/2021):
With reference to R.105/2021 and the reported transfers between heads of expenditure, specifically the deferral of £500,000 to 2022 under the title "Sports Division Refurbishment", will the Minister advise which projects are being deferred; whether any intended projects are to be cancelled; whether the Minister was consulted about the deferrals; and whether he formally agreed to the deferrals and, if so, when and how?
Deputy H.C. Raymond of Trinity (Assistant Minister for Economic Development,
Tourism, Sport and Culture - rapporteur):
I will be responding to that, if I may. I will take each question as the Senator has said. The £500,000 was deferred for next year. I can confirm the projects that are included in that £500,000, which was deferred for next year. That was the new cricket nets, Les Quennevais pool wet side changing room, Les Quennevais new playground, Les Quennevais new sauna and steam, new lighting at the airport playing fields and the new C.C.T.V. (closed circuit television) system at FB Fields. All these will be carried out next year but they have been deferred. Just to confirm one other thing, as you know I am a member of the Hospital P.O.G. (Political Oversight Group) board so was fully aware of the proposals. I was also briefed about the deferral and it was further discussed at the Council of Ministers. I wanted to make it absolutely clear that we were not going to miss out. Can I further say, and I know it sounds as if one is repeating themselves, but there is money in the budget to do quite a few of the things that were restricted this year, which will be carried out this year. I am quite happy to go through them with you or I am happy to let every Member of the Assembly see a copy of what we are intending to do.
- Senator S.W. Pallett:
As the Assistant Minister would be aware, the money for the sports division refurbishment was hard fought in the Government Plan and the department has been desperately under-invested in for some years now. What he mentioned desperately needs to be done. Can he really explain to me why these important projects are being deferred because it is hitting hard those in the sports world when they do not see these projects come to fruition?
The Deputy of Trinity :
I have to say I totally agree with you. It was very difficult for me to go through some of the things that we were asking to be deferred but I have had full confirmation that this will be carried out next year, the money will be transferred. What I suggested, and what you have suggested, does need doing. I think the biggest problem was that we did not look after Les Quennevais over the last 5 to 10 years and we are now paying the consequences. But it would be my intention with the work that is being carried out by the sporting bodies that this will be done for next year. But I also, as I said, have a list of things that will also be carried out at Les Quennevais through his year from the money that is already in the budget.
- Senator T.A. Vallois:
Could the Assistant Minister confirm or deny whether any of the £500,000 for the sports division refurbishment has been requested through a business case for the Fiscal Stimulus Fund?
The Deputy of Trinity :
Thank you for the question. I would have to come back on that. I am more than happy to find out. I had not looked at that angle at all but I am more than happy to do so and come back to the Senator, as requested.
- Senator S.W. Pallett:
Just some assurance from the Assistant Minister that this work will take place next year. He mentioned the fact that the sports division has not been invested in over the last 5 or 10 years but that has been because of repeated Council of Ministers decisions not to invest in the sports division.
[15:00]
That is why I am so upset that this money has been withdrawn this year because it is so hard fought. Will he reassure this Assembly that this work will take place next year?
The Deputy of Trinity :
I think you know my background and I would be absolutely ... I want to make sure this is carried out and we need to do it. The other thing is we are under pressure to do it anyway because some of this work has to be done because there is a risk assessment as well as making sure that the people can use the facilities, especially with the facilities at Les Quennevais, and I will put my heart and soul into making sure that this moves forward for 2022.