Future use of the former police headquarters site in Rouge Bouillon

17 The Connétable of St. Helier of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the future

use of the former police headquarters site in Rouge Bouillon (OQ.56/2021):

Following my oral question on 30th June 2020 about the Minister's review of the future of the former police headquarters site in Rouge Bouillon and statements during the debate on the Government Plan regarding the temporary relocation of the sea cadets to this site, will the Minister advise the Assembly of the progress on this review?

Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):

As the Constable is aware, Rouge Bouillon is the operational headquarters, central base, training centre and emergency response equipment store for the Jersey Fire and Emergency Service. Although a number of alternate uses of the site have been proffered, none of these are feasible without relocating these vital facilities. With that in mind, a thorough review has been undertaken by the Justice and Home Affairs Department to determine the optimum location for the fire and emergency service and the ambulance service, with the key criteria being the imperative to save lives and the response time. The publication distribution of the Island dictates that the facilities should be in St. Helier and a number of alternative sites were considered within or close to Town, including Warwick Farm, Bellozanne, the Limes and La Collette. However, the review, which has been validated by an external consultant, shows there to be a clear disadvantage and risk to life if the station were to be moved away from its current location. Notwithstanding that and recognising this Government's commitment to young people, my team are working with Education to determine the optimum location for educational establishments in St. Helier . That review is intended ...

The Bailiff :

Could I ask you to bring your answer to an end, please, Deputy ? Deputy K.C. Lewis :

It is coming to an end now, Sir. That review is intended to be completed in the near future, after which the 2 reviews will be compared and a decision taken which best meets their requirements.

[12:00]

1. The Connétable of St. Helier :

When I asked this question last June, the Minister said that the review was shortly to be completed and he said, and I quote: "As soon as things move forward with the review, the Constable will be the first to know." This clearly is not the case or I would not have to ask a question to the Assembly this morning. How can it be that the Minister has concluded his review with no consultation with the father of the Parish, whom he said would be the first to know what was going on?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

It is close to completion. There are several reviews which are converging and it will be discussed with the Constable, also the Regeneration Steering Group in the first instance, of which the Constable is a member.

2. Senator S.Y. Mézec :

I guess I just want to bluntly ask what is going to happen to Rouge Bouillon School. That site being contiguous to it made it obvious that that would be how we would want to support the school either in expanding or providing it with better facilities. It strikes me as a potentially lost opportunity that could leave that school in a position for years of not knowing what its future is going to be. So just bluntly: what is going to happen to Rouge Bouillon School?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

That is not my decision. That will be part of the review and it will be taken up by the Regeneration Steering Group and the States as a whole.

3. Senator S.Y. Mézec :

So how long is that going to take? Are we going to face more years of inaction where a school desperately needs support to improve its facilities, improve its access to open space for the many young people who go there? How long is it going to take before they get certainty about their future? Is this not going to be another case where we spend years and years talking about this and nobody is prepared to take the initiative and make commitments to deliver for that school?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

As I have stated, that will be revealed in the reports which are converging. It is also our intention to deliver the best possible solution for the public good concerning both the school strategy and the fire and emergency service. Simultaneous work is also proceeding to find the sea cadets a permanent home. As I say, this will all come out in the review. I do not have an exact timetable. As soon as it is completed, it will be presented to States Members.

4. Deputy R.J. Ward :

Given his commitment as a Minister to put children first, what does he say to the children, the parents and the staff of Rouge Bouillon who have inadequate facilities? It looks like now they will not have any solution to this at any time in the foreseeable future. Can he give them some reassurance that he is putting them first?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Absolutely. We are putting the safety of the public first, which also includes children. Whether that is the correct place for a school, not my decision. It will come to fruition in the reports.

5. Deputy I. Gardiner :

What role, if any, is the Corporate Assets Management Board that is responsible for decisions on this currently playing in the review regarding Rouge Bouillon and do they engage with parents and schools as stakeholders?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I am not controlling the reviews myself. The 2 reviews are taking place simultaneously and, as I say, their reports will be presented to the States.