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Q The proposed budget of £804.5 million is appropriate for Jersey and for this project
A The proposed budget is ridiculous and will no doubt escalate due to financing costs and more compulsory purchases. The cost to the taxpayer will be over a billion pounds. This is for a hospital with less than 400 beds?
Worrying still is:
- the complete lack of debate for the site selection in the first place
- the prospect of rehabilitation services being reduced
- the lack of staff and professionals being recruited
- the Jersey care model not been adhered to
- the total disregard of green zones sites being rezoned
- the environmental destruction
- the historical destruction
- the lack of local residents views,
- the loss of green zones for the community
- the destruction of local amenities. Community sports like bowling, pétanque being lost
- resident and business parking being lost due to proposed roadworks
- unsympathetic designs
- the impact of compulsory purchases
- the protection of wildlife
- the impact of traffic
Q £756 million of that budget should be borrowed by using public bonds.
A No, whilst a new hospital is needed, it should not be at any cost. Surely a hospital can be built, in a more appropriate place without the need of major roadworks, compulsory purchases and with a more sensible price tag, certainly not exceeding £500M People need to question the cost of a hospital of this magnitude. It is ridiculous.
Q Borrowing of this scale should be used to finance a new hospital
A No, the borrowing is far too great a burden. This needs to be scaled back considerably, especially in light of the new hospital having a shelf life of 60 years?
The Government have wasted so much money already on this project, and with COVID costs (reported in the 2020 accounts) of 189.5M and exorbitant consultancy costs, this is a time the Government should be making wiser decisions with OUR money.
Q. The investment returns of the Strategic Reserve should be used to pay debt financing costs, management and administration costs
A. Possibly, what is the alternative? Further unwelcome taxes?
Q The proposition adequately addresses the economic risks or benefits • The conclusions of the Outline Business Case are reasonable
A The expensive report prepared by external expensive consultants is full of questionable terminology, repetitive spin with unmeaningful content, so no. Unable to see any benefit.
Q The Outline Business Case provides sufficient evidence to support the scale of the proposed project
A No, see above
Q. It is sensible to use the Strategic Reserve [Rainy Day Fund] to manage debt and funding of the Our Hospital Project.
A yes if the project was at a more reasonable budget. We do need a new hospital, but not at any cost.
Danielle Mullins