Another hearing before Scrutiny with CM Gorst re the New Hospital, Migration policies and the Transformation Scheme

There was a remarkable Corporate Services Scrutiny Hearing today (15 January 2018).

In Island terms it was probably the most important hearing I have ever attended – and I have attended hundreds.

This was just billed as a Quarterly Hearing with the Chief Minister but Senator Gorst was supported by Senators Green and Routier besides Deputy Wickenden plus the new CEO of the States - Charlie Parker - and Paul Bradbury. It was evidently special.

Deputy Wickenden’s participation was limited to declaring his name. He did not utter another word so we have no reason to know why he was present for the hearing that lasted from 10 am to 11.30am.

The general public was absent. That was another reason why it was a remarkable event.

Just one member of the assumed “accredited press” plus me and a clerk from the CM’s office occupied the public gallery seats.

Deputies Le Fondre, Bree, K. Lewis and Senator Ferguson formed the “panel.”

Much of the hearing was concerned with the “New Hospital” project.

The CM was disappointed that it had been refused “planning permission” but not surprised. That was the process – these things happen.

Would it proceed? Yes said the CM and he supports Minister Green.

He will not be calling for his resignation. He had put three years of his life into the project at the risk of his health and is the person we want to support to get it through.

The CM said he had not had a long list of people knocking on my door saying Green should resign.

The public will have their say at the May elections.

Who was responsible for the failure of the PE application? Senator Green responded “I am” but Senator Routier volunteered that “We are all responsible”

Minister Green confirmed that he intends to proceed with this “site” the design for which needs further mitigation. But the meaning of the words “site” and location” could not be clarified or agreed. The States had agreed to this as the preferred “site” but this may have to change.

It is the ”location” that is fine explained the CM – there is a “site” issue but that does not mean the “location” is wrong. The Planning Minister also decided it is the correct “location.”

Although the Inspector had decided that the “site” was far too small it was not the “location” that was rejected.

The CM’s Ministers will now go away and study the Planning Inspector’s Report and the PE refusal and advise on the way forward.

The development might need a new “footprint.”The proposed building was too large.

But Green confirmed that clever design alone won’t be enough and the ”Rochdale guidelines” on outline planning applications won’t be adequate either. More detail will be needed.

The existing design proposal could not be just “finessed” to make it acceptable.

Was the States and the public misled with incorrect information about the development’s size, height and the Architectural Commission role? No

Nevertheless, the CM also confirmed that the public may need to have the opportunity to look at the other sites so that they will understand how they would all fail the planning test of suitability. There is no easier site. Senator Green claimed that at least 50 other “sites” or “locations” had been previously considered but rejected.

With regard to acquisitions of adjacent properties Senator Green confirmed that one flat had so far been purchased and negotiations with other owners were proceeding with Eddie Noel’s department.

Although no PE permission had yet been obtained discussions with a possible building contractor had commenced and this process was not premature – it being in accordance with UK Treasury Guidelines.

The St Peter catering leases had been signed. Cost? That is a question to ask Eddie Noel

Could the process be completed before the May elections? Nobody knows for certain but the CM hoped so.

The Ministers had to consider with their professionals, the public consulted on other “sites or locations,” new plans prepared, the States would have to debate it, submission to PE made and there would almost certainly have to be another Planning Inquiry and it took from July to November to establish the previous Inquiry.

Senator Green rejected the suggestion that hospital senior practitioners only had been consulted on this project.

Had there been test drilling on the “site”? Yes and it was continuing yesterday.

How much has been spent so far? £24 millions.

Will the redesign incur extra costs and will the contingency fund be drawn upon?  The footprint will change but not the size so the cost to build may not increase.

This part of the hearing ended at 11am and a very interesting discussion of the Immigration/Migration proposals followed.  

Then a short look at progress on the “Transformation Scheme” which was ”not a failure” but had led to the recruitment of the newly appointed CEO   Charlie Parker, who said a few words……

 

Further details of the whole hearing will be posted on the Podcasts section of the Scrutiny Website in due course for those who are interested.

But on the evidence of today’s lack of public interest that won’t be many.

 

 

Jersey Youth Service - "Link" - Official Opening on 12 January 2018

The public was invited to the official opening by CM Gorst of the new "Link" an information and advice "Drop In Centre" at Eagle House, La Colomberie, St Helier on 12 January 2018.

This is intended to assist young people in the 14 - 25 age group but younger children are also catered for. Parents or other adults can also attend for information.

"The Link" is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from midday until 6pm and can be contacted on 01534 280530 or by email on yes@jys.js

This was formerly a shop and the Social Security "Back to Work" scheme operates from upper floors of this multi-occupancy building.

I recorded a video of my visit and this follows in two parts.
I have substantial concerns about the poor facilities and safety of this building and am researching the recent history with the Planning Office, Building Inspectorate and Fire Department. I have outlined my concerns in the second video below but start here with this introduction and words mainly from CM Gorst;
Part One

Part Two video
looks behind the scenes of this "drop in shop," at the lack of accessible toilets and the tatty state of those that are provided, the potentially dangerous escape route which has a sink and cooking facility within it - besides other access issues such as narrow doorways and a step at the entrance (inward opening) front door, lack of hearing loops and  small interview rooms.
Curiously, a Change of Use permission was granted for this former (clothes) shop and a Planning (Charity rate) fee of £507 paid but it is not clear what Class the facility is now and it is also not yet clear why there is no requirement to provide "disability standard" toilets and how the escape routes and fire safety have not been improved in this multi-occupation building.
I am researching these matters further but in the meantime would urge that this facility remains closed until proper safety and access audits have been undertaken and any necessary improvements carried for the better protection of all persons - including "Link" staff or young clients - who might use this building.

Subsequent exchange of letters with CM Gorst  (below)
Copied to the Children's Commissioner

Dear Mr Dun

Thank you for your message and your observations following the recent opening of the ‘Link Project’.

Officers have assured me that a full planning application for a change of use and also a building control application for the works that were carried out have been signed off by the appropriate department. Those works that were undertaken were as a result of an architect plans which were commissioned and these were submitted to the Environment Department.

In the light of your concerns, officers have revisited and updated risk assessments and operational procedures to enable the safe delivery of the Youth Enquiry Service in the premises. I would also add that since your visit and video report, a hearing loop is now in place and a ramp is ordered with a view to immediate installation.

I hope you find this response of assistance.

Kind regards

Senator Ian Gorst

Chief Minister of Jersey

Cyril Le Marquand House | PO Box 140 | St Helier | Jersey JE4 8QT

tel. +44(0)1534 440546 | e-mail chiefminister@gov.je | www.gov.je

 

From: Mike Dun To: Ian Gorst
Subject: FW: The Link, Jersey Youth Service - revised email with link

Dear Chief Minister,

Thanks for the brief interview which is posted on the blog link below.

Unfortunately on examination beyond the “shop” I have found this facility falls short of an acceptable standard on several counts and have shown these, mostly on Part Two of my blog video.

This building is in multiple occupation including the SS “Back to Work” office above and there appear to be shared exit and toilet facilities which are of a poor standard.

From a safety point of view I consider that the exit routes are potentially dangerous for all users of this building.

I do not know what alternative access and exit provisions exist from the upper levels or if there is a lift to afford access for persons with disabilities.

However from what I have seen I think that the “Link” should remain closed until a proper audit has been undertaken of all the facilities and safety provisions and any necessary improvements carried out.

http://tomgruchy.blogspot.com/2018/01/jersey-youth-service-link-official.html

Regards

Mike Dun

 

,

CM Gorst speaking on the "Eradication of Poverty in Jersey" at the Caritas Lecture. 13 June 2017

Here follows CM Gorst's lecture in 3 parts on the Eradication of Poverty.

Other lectures have been recorded at this event and will be posted in due course - but unfortunately the lighting is not very good.

Part one above

Part two above

Part three above

Total play time about 26 minutes (10 plus 10 plus 6 Minutes.)

Business Connect "Migrants Debate" St Helier Jersey 7 October 2015 speakers CM Sen Gorst and Mark Baker

Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst above (video about 5 minutes)

Mark Baker above (video about 5 minutes)

Humble pie - main course on the States Members' Octoberfest served at St Mary...by permission of the Bailiff

In true traditional style H.M. Bailiff of Jersey decreed that there should be a bean feast this evening (23 October) for retiring and not so retiring Members of the States and that the generous public should pay....

Fortunately, some members of the public - such as Sandra Bisson - were not amused and started a petition against it. They also proposed a demonstration of their discontent and so turned out this evening to confront the diners in the dark lanes of St Mary...

The Bailiff did not meet the demonstrators to answer to their grievances but several States Members did....

Video one below...the demonstrators captured for the historic record and a short interview with Sandra Bisson;

Video Two below...Chief Minister Gorst being grilled;

Video Three below...Senator Ozouf's humble fayre without relish;

Video Four below...Constable Le Troquer...serving the States before his Parish;

Gorst not resigning...world exclusive from the steps of the Jersey States'..

Following somebody's defeat yesterday in the Jersey States we can reveal that it wasn't the government that got it wrong, that the programme of "Reform" carries on (although nobody has a clue what that means) and Chief Minister Gorst will not be resigning.

In fact this was all yet another demonstration of Jersey democracy in action of which we can all be proud although Assistant CM Senator Bailhache has said that the whole Referendum was a waste of time...

Today's video interview here (above) runs for about 5 minutes.

PS The States voted last October that 28 September should be officially celebrated as Jersey Reform Day - nothing has been done about it so far this year but perhaps Senator Gorst will reveal his government's revised "reform" plans on that historic day - or as part of the "Mace" celebrations with Prince Andrew...or Edward...or some other important person.

G8, UK Select Committee and much much more - can we the electorate participate please?

As usual the general public are being kept in the dark....so I emailed this simple request to all 51 of our elected States' Members today....

18 June 2013

Dear States Member

In view of the continuing international publicity about “Finance Centres”, the proceedings of the G8 conference, the meeting of Chief Minister Gorst with the Prime Minister and the forthcoming visit by the UK Select Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Alan Beith M.P. besides many other matters of concern,

I write to request that the Council of Ministers be required to call a public meeting or meetings, so that the electorate of Jersey can be better informed about the discussions and negotiations that have already taken place and to discuss what is proposed for the future.

Also, that the general public might be better informed about the task of the UK Select Committee and that the membership might be encouraged to meet with the electorate of Jersey in a public forum to explain the purposes of the Select Committee directly, and to engage in discussions with and receive oral and written submissions from the people of Jersey both privately and in public.

Michael Dun

CC to all elected Jersey States’ Members.

Jersey's hollow Holocaust Memorial Day - 2013

98,000 Jersey residents failed to turn out for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day.

Mostly the small usual crowd did.

I bumped into a friend there with his mother. Her father (his grandfather) was one of the 22  sent from Jersey in the 1940s to a cruel end in the death camps for some trifling offence.

Of course this family has a personal reason to remember a lost relative but why do the vast majority of Jersey residents show such little interest?

Furthermore,  why is our governemt still dragging its feet when it comes to signing the most basic international human rights standards and  has still not actually implememnted anti-discrimination laws as promised by Chief Minister Ian Gorst one year ago, at last year's Memorial Day.

See that interview, along with similar interviews on this blog for previous years during the relevant January

Sorry, but I still do not do links....

Jersey's official attitude towards anti-discrimination laws is a disgrace. The Channel Islands were the  only area of the British Isles to be occupied during the Second World War so have a special reason to lead the way on implementing the highest human rights standards. Yet Jersey is going in the opposite direction with ever more discriminatory anti-immigrant rules and regulations on work and housing etc being currentlyapproved or contemplated.
Tragically, these absurd laws are to be exempted from challenge as discriminatory because they are introduced by the government!

Yes - I know - the wind gets into the camcorder and spoils the sound on these recordings. It's the winter weather and I have only a simple machine and limited ability - but try to live with it. You won't hear or see this stuff elsewhere.

I declined to interview Brian Keenan - this year's special celebrity speaker - for several reasons. Notably that the official sound system was so bad and he spoke so quietly, that I was unable to hear what he had said. This was a pity but I am also concerned that Jersey's Memorial Day is being turned into yet another "official event", dominated by the usual government crowd and promoting the same unchallenging views, year after year.

If anything warrants challenge - then it  surely is "holocaust" - and the millions of people who allowed it in the past,  continue to allow it now and will fail to stop it happening in future.

I mean of course you and me and our governmental institutions.

Doug Ford follows here in my second part of today's posting on the Holocaust Day's proceedings.
He has an educational role at the Jersey Heritage Trust and is a really nice bloke - but  is surely missing the point here...

Of course, I am linking Holocaust Day to Jersey Reform Day which is to be celebrated officially for the very first time this year on 28 September. This is a belated response to Jersey's very own revolution against the despotic government of the 18th cnetury - and should be full of human rights lessons - but Doug Ford seems to dismiss it as unimportant or not well enough understood or researched....

Such revolutions are the very breeding grounds for holocausts along with xenophobia and the blame levelled at minority groups for the ills of society.

Ignorance and apathy applies as much to the events of the Second World War as they do to the fight for democratic government in Jersey over 200 hundred years ago...

And finally I present the Dean of Jersey Bob Key and would contrast him with Canon Cohu referred to in his own address today. The Canon protested during the Occuptaion and became another of the brave  Jersey 22 who perished in the death camps.
The Dean spoke at a ceremony on  16 January 2013 to re-consecrate the memorial in Green Street cemetary to St. Helier's 19th century Constable Pierre Le Sueur (see the posting on this blog) and his words then are relevant today regarding holocausts past, present and future and what WE should  ALL be doing about them...

But,  I may be a romantic idealist because I don't believe that the argument needs martyrs (crucified or otherwise) to prove the point or that we should appear once a year on a cold windy day, just to remember - for a few minutes - those who have suffered so much. We really should be actively doing much much more on a daily basis...

The final image is of "our government and officials" laying their wreaths at today's Holocaust Memorial ceremony whilst so resolutely turning their backs against the call for proper democratic instutions with human rights embraced and promoted with enthusiasm for ALL.

Sorry again about the wind nuisance - but if you cannot overcome that  mild irritant to understand what is being said here, then there is nothing more I can do about it...