“Admit you want to build on our park” – Constable challenges ministers

Friday 19 February 2016

Ministers have been challenged to come clean and admit that their preferred site for the new hospital is the People’s Park, on the eve of a showdown in the States.

Town Constable Simon Crowcroft is going to the States on Tuesday to try to remove the site from the shortlist of five for the new hospital, which could cost between £444 million and £630 million.

Ministers are trying to block that attempt, and Mr Crowcroft says that it’s time for them to come clean and admit that they want to build on the park.

“There has been a lack of clarity – they need to come clean about the whole process because it’s not clear at the moment,” he said.

“It’s not clear whether they are going to give weight to public opinion. They didn’t give much weight to the anti-GST petition, which I also brought to the States.

“How can this be called engagement? It is an unfortunate choice of words when the Council of Ministers seem so disengaged and out of step with public feeling.”

In their written statement ahead of the debate, ministers have come close to conceding that the park site is their preferred option, writing that it is “the best-performing short-listed option in relation to clinical efficiency” and “the short-listed site requiring the lowest capital investment”.

Also on Tuesday, ministers will face a barrage of questions before the debate begins, with six questions listed to ministers covering how the cost will be met, how the consultation process was put together, whether they will stick to a decision by the Parish Assembly, the possible process for a compulsory purchase of the site, the cost of the current “public engagement” exercise” and demanding a full breakdown of costs.