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21.03.02
11 Deputy M. Tadier of the Assistant Chief Minister regarding consultation with the
residents of Les Quennevais Park and Clos des Sables regarding the relocation of facilities from Overdale to the former Les Quennevais School site (OQ.61/2021):
Will the Minister advise what consultation, if any, was undertaken with the residents of Les Quennevais Park and Clos des Sables area before the decision was made to relocate Overdale facilities to the old school site?
Senator L.J. Farnham (Assistant Chief Minister):
I will briefly outline the process and the consultation as it has taken place. As we heard in the previous answer, after the decision to select Overdale as the preferred site work began to identify suitable locations for the relocation of services currently offered at Overdale. To do this, clinically- led options and appraisals were undertaken, which looked at a range of potential locations within the current healthcare services and wider Government of Jersey estate. Following this process, a decision was made to relocate by the political oversight group and Council of Ministers, to relocate the services currently on offer at Overdale to the former Les Quennevais School in St. Brelade . At that time, I personally spoke with the Constable and the Deputies in an informal conversation just to let them know that that was what was planned. A presentation was then made to States Members and a public announcement later that day. That same day or the next day letters were hand delivered to approximately 230 neighbouring properties of the former school which informed residents of the relocation decision as well as giving them information about the forthcoming community meetings and relevant contact information from the design and delivery partner. So, following then the first residents' meeting was held on 18th February, at which 16 people attended. Those present at the meeting were given a general project update and an introduction of the engagement strategies.
The Bailiff :
Can I ask you to bring your answer to an end, Senator? Senator L.J. Farnham :
Yes, Sir. It is quite a bit of information I need to give out, but I will stop there and hopefully I can address the rest in supplementaries.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I thank the Minister for that answer. He could perhaps circulate that written to me. The key point that he has made is that there was no consultation done with residents before the decision was made and that they simply received a letter informing them that a decision had been made after the fact. Does he think that this is satisfactory? I do have other questions, but I think that is the first question.
Senator L.J. Farnham :
The decision in principle was made. There is still a process to go through. I am not sure there was any other way to do it. I cannot see consultation before a favoured site, a favoured option, is chosen. Once we have chosen that favoured option, it is far better then to engage in consultation following that. I do understand the Deputy 's point and I also understand that we need to continue to improve the interaction with neighbours. We had a fairly low turnout and I think the consultants have learnt from that that they need to work harder to engage with the Parish authorities and the neighbours to get greater attendance. But we are absolutely committed to delivering a proper and detailed consultation process to ensure all neighbours and stakeholders and, indeed, any other Islanders who wish to participate can do so. I would ask Islanders wishing to participate to make contact with the project team, and they can do that very easily through our website and social media, or even contacting me or any other members of the political oversight group directly. While I do accept the Deputy 's criticisms, I want to reassure him that the work is underway for a thorough consultation process to take place.
- Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade :
I acknowledge the Minister's comments with regard to consultation with the Parish, but would he acknowledge that the correct process might be to consult with the road authority in question with responsibility for the roads in the area, that being the Parish Roads Committee? Because it really is quite crucial and I suggest that failing to do this will result in people not being able to get to the hospital. So I just ask for his acknowledgement of that and perhaps to give a positive timeline as to when that might happen.
Senator L.J. Farnham :
I do acknowledge that, absolutely, and have asked the project team to do that. I will come back directly to the Constable and the Deputy with an update on the project timeline. No matter how long we have all been engaged in these kinds of projects, we do continue to learn. I thank the Constable for the guidance that he has given us throughout the project and I undertake to come back to him with a detailed timeline.
The Connétable of St. Brelade : I thank the Minister for his answer.
- Senator S.W. Pallett:
The Minister used the words "in principle". Has the decision to use Les Quennevais been decided or is it still a decision to be made?
Senator L.J. Farnham :
No, the decision is decided. I say "in principle" because during the consultation process and the next phase of work in preparation for this, if something untoward was to come up or something that indicated that it was not possible, then there might have to be a change of plan. I am pleased to say that nothing has come up to that effect yet, but we always must prepare for that eventuality. So, for the avoidance of doubt, it is very much hoped that the former Les Quennevais School building will be used for the relocation of the important services currently on offer at Overdale. So, I hope that is clear.
- Senator S.W. Pallett:
It sounds as if the decision has been made and it is a fait accompli. I am not sure what residents are going to be consulted on because the decision has been made. Could the Minister or Deputy Chief Minister ensure that that consultation or those that are spoken to are not just those that are immediately in the vicinity of the school, that it is much more broader than that? The impact of such a move of Overdale to this site will have an impact all across the area on a day-to-day basis far larger than I think the school had when it was situated on the site. So can he ensure that the consultation goes much broader than where it has been so far? To only have 16 at a consultation meeting is, frankly, appalling.
Senator L.J. Farnham :
Yes, I can assure the Senator of that. It was disappointing to have 16 when over 230 letters were hand delivered to neighbours, but the team are going to work harder to engage more residents, not just within the immediate area but within the Parish. Of course, I extend the invitation I made earlier to all Islanders who wish to participate to make contact with the project team via the hospital website. Of course, we will be as inclusive as we need to be to ensure Islanders are properly informed and consulted with.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I am surprised to hear that so few letters have gone out. Knowing the area very well, I know that just Les Quennevais Park and Clos des Sables have over 500 individual residences themselves, and they are the immediate neighbours, without considering the other neighbours that are also adjacent. Would the Minister give an undertaking to have an effective consultation, notwithstanding the difficulties provided by the pandemic, perhaps which could be led by those of us who know the area and have represented it for quite a long time to facilitate his department in that?
Senator L.J. Farnham :
Yes, absolutely. I have asked the team to make sure they engage proactively with the Parish and the Parish representatives. I hope Deputy Truscott and Deputy Tadier will note that I always try to engage directly with them and I will continue to do that. With hindsight, the consultants have realised that it is important to cast the net further and they are doing that for the next meeting of residents, which is planned for 18th March. I undertake myself as well to work with the Parish Deputies and Constable to ensure we include as many stakeholders as we possibly can and who want to be involved.