States Property Services are trying to find a new home for Guernsey’s Probation Service and other organisations which are currently based inside what was the island’s visitor information centre.
The building – once home to the States of Guernsey’s offices – is due to become a new Victor Hugo Centre.
Those behind the new Centre want to reach £7.5million in funding – and they’ve already achieved £2m.
It’s due to open soon with various events, including Baroness Shami Chakrabarti’s talk on human rights at the upcoming Guernsey Literary Festival, a topic championed by Hugo.
Deputy Andy Cameron cited that development, and the nearby Willow House, as a reason for moving the Probation Centre when he asked the Home Affairs President about it during last week’s States meeting.
“Given a Sexual Assault Referral Centre’s unsuitably close proximity to the Probation Service and the fact that a Victor Hugo Centre is planning to move into the building currently occupied by Probation, could Deputy Prow please clarify what future plans are in place for the relocation of the probation service?”
Deputy Rob Prow told the States in reply, that his Home Affairs Committee has already asked the same questions of Property Services.
“I think he is right that the location of Probation in its present facilities is something that needs to be addressed, and that Property Services, I understand, are investigating what those possibilities are,” said Deputy Prow.
“As far as I’m aware, Property Services haven’t yet established or finalised their arrangements with regarding not only moving Probation, out of that building, but other services that operate from it as well.”
The other services currently housed in the former States offices include the Family Proceedings Advisory Service.
The Visitor Information Centre has already moved out, and is now based in the Market.