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First, the capital sum required is horrendous yet no-one has seen fit to question the reasonableness of the sum. It is unbelievable that not one backbenchers has asked for the tenders to be made public so that they and we, the taxpayers, can be assured that we are getting value for money.
Why has this been kept secret? Surely now the tender has been accepted it does not matter and we have a right to openness and transparency, or so we are told.
With regard to the process for funding for the project, one would hope that the request for funds would go through several meaningful processes, both from within the treasury and independently, and that an agreement is put in place for approval in principle rather than a committed agreement, in view of the sum involved.
Personally I am in favor of raising a public bond and I suggested this to Senator Gorst several years ago.
Provided a reasonable rate of return is given I feel people could be persuaded to contribute in view of the lack of risk. And if we could get some of the big companies involved it would show their commitment to the Island.
Unfortunately many people have yet to be convinced -
- the capital sum is reasonable
- the project represents good value for money
- the footprint of the new hospital actually provides optimum bed capacity
- what the contingency sum, the largest I have ever seen, is required for
- how a 600 place multi-stores car park sits with the Island's environmental policy
- what are the effects of proposed changes to Westmount Road
- why St Saviours Hospital was rejected as being too far out, yet a temporary hospital facility is being placed at Quennevais school and
- why very little regard has been paid to the relocation of the Crematorium or the Bowls Club before planning is applied for at Overdale.
It seems to me that the whole issue is being steam-rollered through because no one (Senator Farnham ) wants to admit a mistake has been made in the location and be accused of wasting yet more taxpayers money.
I am totally against borrowing this huge sum of money as no bank would ever fix the rate for the life of the loan. Not ever!
I hope this helps.