Letter - Minister for Children and Education - Government Plan 22 - Response to Written Questions -

19-21 Broad Street | St Helier Jersey | JE2 3RR

Connétable Mike Jackson

Chairman - Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel BY Email  

22nd October 2021  Dear Chairman,

Government Plan 2022 – Written Questions  

Thank you for your letter of 18th October 2021 with a range of questions on the Government Plan 2022. Please see below my responses to the questions and do not hesitate to contact me again if you require any further information.

Prefeasibility studies

1. Mont a L'Abbe Secondary School  
2. Further Education Campus  
3. Reorganisation of Secondary Schools
4. North of St Helier School
5. South of St Helier School
6. La Sente
7. Victoria College New Classroom Block
8. Victoria College Students Support Centre

1. For (a-h) could you please clarify which of the prefeasibility studies that were previously noted as deferred have resumed in 2021 and those that have not resumed to date?

There  are  no current prefeasibility deferments.  All feasibility  studies which  were  previously deferred are now progressing.

2. Where the prefeasibility studies have resumed could you please provide an update regarding their progress status and a total spend to date including a breakdown of the total spend?

Please see questions 4-24 below.

3. Where the prefeasibility studies have not yet resumed, could you provide the rationale for why the studies have not resumed and when is it anticipated that each study will resume?

This is not applicable. However, from the list a-h the follow prefeasibility studies have yet to commence:

La Sente

• Feasibility work will commence in 2025. There is no reported spend to date.

Reorganisation of secondary Schools

• Feasibility work will commence in 2023. There is no reported spend to date.

South of St Helier School

• Feasibility work will commence in 2024. There is no reported spend to date.

Victoria College New Classroom Block  

• Feasibility work will commence in 2024. There is no reported spend to date.

Victoria College Students Support Centre

• Feasibility work will commence in 2024. There is no reported spend to date.

Further Education Campus

4. The Mid -Year Review notes this project is delayed and a White Paper to inform the project brief for a new further education campus will be undertaken. Can you please provide further detail in that regard and clarify the timescale for this action?

The development of a "Further Education and Skills in Jersey" White Paper was introduced to complement the wider Education Reform Programme in all schools and colleges. It is to articulate an actionable plan for the island to meet current and future skills needs, addressing economic and social drivers. This work is informed by the Jersey Employers Group "Workforce Strategy" and the Economic Council's report on "New Perspectives" and seeks to outline a better, more streamlined system for turning business needs now, and into the future, into an agile and responsive curriculum. The new campus is an essential part of a high-quality skills eco-system. It is anticipated the White Paper will be completed in early 2022.

5. It is anticipated that this prefeasibility work will be concluded in 2022, are you confident that target date is achievable?

The target date was 2022 however, due to the pandemic and the development of the White Paper the expected completion at the end of 2021 may be delayed. This is not detrimental, as we are now working and learning differently; it has allowed the Department to take account of the dramatic change in learning online. We now expect for example to need less physical space, but greater investment into technical and digital infrastructure.

6. The Government Plan 2022 notes a funding request of £150,000 for 2022, please could you provide a breakdown of what this is intended to cover, including the breakdown of any specific spend allocations?

The initial allocated fund was identified to look at the pre-feasibility work required to develop the strategic business case for a future education campus – this was primarily proposed to look at requirements and available sufficient location, budget requirements and cost analysis to include space and specific technical requirements to include initial stakeholder consultation and engagement. It is unlikely the full allocation for 2021 will be spent. Following the publication of the White Paper the next steps for the expenditure of feasibility funding will be explored in more detail.

7. Do you consider the amount of £150,000 to be sufficient to meet the project's aims?

Following the completion of the White Paper further work will be undertaken to understand the next phase of the feasibility process.

8. How will you ascertain the objectives are carried forward in the next Government term, considering the potential change in membership?

Jersey, the U.K. and the World are facing skills shortages and seeking to make the most of the opportunities which new ways of working can offer citizens. This will not change with Government as the shortfalls are already pressing. The intention of the White Paper is to outline these challenges and develop a roadmap to address these, which successive Governments can commit to.

9. What consideration, if any, has been given to the resourcing required to deliver on these actions and do you anticipate any challenges in that regard?

We have commissioned the former President of the Association of Colleges Professor Martin Doel (CBE) to complete the White Paper. This is being funded from the feasibility monies for 2021.

North of St Helier School  

10. The Government Plan 2022 notes a funding request of £200,000 for 2022, please could you provide a breakdown of what this is intended to cover, including the breakdown of any specific spend allocations?

It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown at this stage, however, expected spend would for a full feasibility study would include architectural and other professional fees, site analysis and the completion of appropriate studies (for example a traffic study).

11. Do you consider the amount of £200,000 to be sufficient to meet the project's aims?

It is considered this is a sufficient level of funding for the completion of the full feasibility study for the construction of a new primary school.

12. How will you ascertain the objectives are carried forward in the next Government term, considering the potential change in membership?

Officers from CYPES and IHE are working closely to identify a suitable site for a new town primary school in the North of St Helier. A review of sites in the town area, commissioned by Jersey Property Holdings, has enabled options to be explored in greater detail. These options will be presented to me and fellow Ministers shortly for a decision to be made on the best site available. It is my intention that I gain support for the preferred site from key stakeholders, including Members of the Assembly who have shown a great interest in this project.

13. What consideration, if any, has been given to the resourcing required to deliver on these actions and do you anticipate any challenges in that regard?

Funding has been provided in the Government Plan for feasibility and identified for construction from 2023 onwards.

Officers in my Department will continue to work closely with IHE to prioritise projects and, therefore, resources through regular Finance and Project meetings. This ensures timescales can be adhered to and delay avoided.

Mont à L'Abbé Secondary School  

14. The Mid -Year Review notes this project is on track and explains that the architectural designs have been agreed and the planning submission made. In addition, it notes that construction is due to commence in November 2021. Is it still anticipated for this project to commence in November this year and for the target completion date of 2023 to be achievable?

Question 14 refers to the Mont à L'Abbé extension project (not the secondary school development). Planning Permission has just been granted for the scheme and Officers will now update timelines accordingly.

15. The Government Plan 2022 notes a funding request of £250,000 for 2022, please could you provide a breakdown of what this is intended to cover, including the breakdown of any specific spend allocations?

This refers to the Mont à L'Abbé Secondary School feasibility study due to commence in 2022. The 2022 spend allocation will be used for recognised investigations and professional fees.

16. Do you consider the amount of £250,000 to be sufficient to meet the project's aims?

This figure is considered sufficient for the completion of the feasibility study.

17. How will you ascertain the objectives are carried forward in the next Government term, considering the potential change in membership?

The objectives of the original business case outlining the needs for a new secondary school will not change. CYPES will continue to maintain departmental business cases and update as required.

18. What consideration, if any, has been given to the resourcing required to deliver on these actions and do you anticipate any challenges in that regard?

No challenges are expected in terms of resourcing for the feasibility study. An experienced design team will work closely with CYPES and school staff to ensure that the project meets the client brief.

Redesign of Greenfields (Major Project)  

19. The review of the redesign of Greenfields project has been noted as delayed within the Mid-Year Review. Could you please provide the rationale for the delay and when you anticipate this work will commence?

The rationale for the delay in feasibility works this year was due to a delay in a confirmed client brief. A client brief has now been provided to Jersey Property Holdings.The feasibility study is due to commence following Government Plan approval.

20. The Government Plan 2022 notes a funding request of £1,250,000 for 2022, please could you provide a breakdown of what this is intended to cover, including the breakdown of any specific spend allocations?

It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown at this stage, however, spend would include the cost of a full feasibility study, moving though the planning and design stages and possible land acquisitions, and construction costs, subject to planning approval.

21. Do you consider the amount of £1,250,000 to be sufficient to meet the project's aims?

The total amount identified for this project is £7,000,000.

22. How will you ascertain the objectives are carried forward in the next Government term, considering the potential change in membership?

The objectives of the original business case outlining the needs for a redesign of Greenfields will not change. CYPES will continue to maintain departmental business cases and update as required.

23. What consideration, if any, has been given to the resourcing required to deliver on these actions and do you anticipate any challenges in that regard?

No challenges are expected in terms of resourcing for the feasibility study. An experienced design team will work closely with CYPES and school staff to ensure that the project meets the client brief.

24. Are you confident the target completion date of 2024 is achievable?

Yes, subject to planning and funding approval.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Scott Wickenden

Minister for Children and Education

D +44 (0)1534 440152 E S.Wickenden@gov.je