Chief Minister “surprised” by call to review Gov HQ plans

Friday 12 March 2021

The Chief Minister has said he was “surprised” to learn that a panel of politicians was calling for brakes on the new Government HQ project just days before contracts were due to be signed.

Senator John Le Fondré’s comments came in a letter to the Scrutiny Liaison Committee after it put forward a proposal to delay the project to give politicians time to review the site selection process and whether the build would be value for money.

Contracts were due to be signed on Monday, but Scrutineers said they were concerned about the Government’s sudden U-turn from indicating that it would be signing a 25-year lease on a new head office on Broad Street to looking at a new Dandara build at their former premises.

Express understands the Cyril Le Marquand option was among the costliest of those considered by Government.

Pictured: The Government abruptly pulled out of its original plan for a new HQ at Broad Street.

In his letter, the Chief Minister said he had already provided Scrutineers with a “significant volume of decision-making information” and that he was shocked “the Government had received no notification from yourself that it should expect such a proposition.”

“As you will be aware, contracts with the preferred Development Partner are ready to be signed on 15 March 2021, with a view to practical completion of a new office building by early 2024. The Proposition will mean that the Government cannot enter into contracts until such time as the situation is resolved," he continued.

"I think it is helpful to reiterate the fact that the case for a new office for public services is well-established – the project will allow us to make significant recurrent operational savings, provide an economic stimulus during the construction phase and release a number of sites to be used for other purposes, including housing.”

He further emphasised that any delay to the project could cost “an extra £1m per month to the taxpayer.”

Pictured: Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré said the Cyril Le Marquand build was meant to provide a post-pandemic boost to the economy.

In April, politicians were due to vote on whether a full Scrutiny review concluding in June should be conducted, with the States Assembly then able to vote to approve or reject the project after its publication. 

Senator Le Fondré is now asking for a vote on the review to be brought forward to 23 March.

"This will give certainty as early as possible, and dependent on the outcome of the debate, would either allow Scrutiny further time to undertake its proposed review, or the Government to enter into contracts with the preferred Development Partner in the least delay possible. Both of these outcomes would minimise the now inevitable delay and associated cost implications that will be borne by taxpayers."

He has asked the Scrutiny Liaison Committee Chair, Senator Kristina Moore, to respond to him by Monday.