However, the motion has been ditched, with Deputy Parkinson saying he was now “hopeful” that 2 Cornet Street could be secured for this purpose by working with “other interested parties”.
Deputy Parkinson was left outraged last Wednesday after the States’ Trading Supervisory Board President refused to halt the sale of the former Income Tax Office.
2 Cornet Street was earmarked by Economic Development because of its proximity to Hauteville House.
His Committee wanted to draw up detailed plans to create a Victor Hugo Centre there, and he believed that raising the idea at a meeting with Deputy Ferbrache in January had made that intention clear.
However, it emerged that the building is under offer from a private entrepreneur. Deputy Ferbrache refused to postpone the sale, saying that it had been vacant since December 2017 – plenty of time for a “rational, fully-funded proposal” to be made to the STSB.
Deputy Parkinson was frustrated by his refusal and, that same afternoon, sent an email to all States members aiming to garner support for a motion of no confidence.
“In view of the responses given by the President of the STSB to my oral questions today,” it read. “I wish to move a Motion of No Confidence in the STSB. Please could any Member willing to sign such a motion make themselves known to me.”
Deputies Jan Kuttelwascher and Jeremy Smithies are the other political members of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board.
Deputy Ferbrache said he was unconcerned by Deputy Parkinson’s efforts to have him replaced.
“Most people laughed when they got it,” he said of the email. “I think it was a petulant thing to do.
“I am not worried about it at all – it is a nonsense.”
Deputy Parkinson said this morning that he was no longer seeking to take action against the STSB, as he believes the problem can be solved a different way.
“A number of people expressed sympathy with my point of view and one of them suggested an alternative parliamentary procedure,” he said.
“However, I don’t propose to lay a motion of no confidence now because I think the problem can be solved another way.
“Economic Development will work with other interested parties to try to secure 2 Cornet Street for a Victor Hugo Centre.”
On whether those plans would prove successful, he said: “I am hopeful but I cannot yet be confident.”
Pictured top: Charles Parkinson and Peter Ferbrache.
