The future of the last diving platform at La Vallette will take the political spotlight again this week, with the President of Environment and Infrastructure to be put on the spot over the matter.
Deputy John Gollop will ask E&I three questions specifically concerning the fate of the structure at the Ladies’ Pool.
He also wants to know some additional details about the work of the Health and Safety Executive which has banned the use of the board, and intended to remove it until public pressure resulted in a temporary stay while a long term solution can be found.
Just under two weeks ago, a campaign to save the ill-fated diving board was launched by Guernsey’s Sea Donkey, Adrian Sarchet.
He took to social media to rally the public, after he learned that the diving board was to be removed the following Tuesday – just four days after he and others had been informed of the fact.
That Sunday, (9 Febuary), an estimated 350-400 people gathered at the Ladies’ Pool to show their support, with several politicians adding their voices to the calls to postpone execution.
Deputy Gollop’s questions will be put to E&I’s President, Deputy Lindsey de Sausmarez early in this week’s States meeting, which is due to start tomorrow morning.
His queries revolve around finding a safe and feasible solution to address the Health and Safety concerns with the diving platform. He wants to know if the committee would consider private funding and volunteer support for any necessary pool improvements, while ensuring legal and safety compliance. He’ll also ask for consideration of both deepening the pool and implementing a lifeguard service to enhance safety and manage risks effectively.
Deputy Mark Helyar has been one of the most vocal so far in attempts to save the diving board.
A lawyer by profession, he has researched the laws surrounding the situation and shared his findings via Facebook.
He’s critiscised the Health and Safety practices which were used to doom the diving board in the first place, and has since gone on to state that “wire mesh is going to be welded to it (at your expense) to stop it from being used.”
Express has approached the States for comment on that claim. We are awaiting a response at the time of publication.
Deputy Helyar says his concerns about the decision to remove the diving platform have not abated despite his work looking into the matter.
“We haven’t received any detail of what the (Health and Safety) concerns are, when the order was issued, by whom or how long this has been going on,” he said.
“Given we have been kept almost completely in the dark I’m not expecting a great deal. It’s not even clear whether the safety concerns raised are reasonable (there is a test of reasonableness in the law) or whether the E&I committee accepts them. It’s been pretty much radio silence which I don’t consider is acceptable given the level of public interest.”
Deputy Helyar believes he and Deputy Gollop have the backing of other States members in their support for the diving platform, and thinks it is evidence of a wider problem at the heart of government.
“There were several States members present at the demonstration so I would hope so,” he said.
“We should all be concerned about public service departments acting arbitrarily or unreasonably, I see it as our role and duty as politicians to challenge and manage that, particularly when in the absence of any information this all appears unreasonable and a waste of taxpayers money. It understandably leads everyone to think how much other time wasting or unnecessary process are we funding which we aren’t told about ?
“I sense the public is very frustrated that its politicians seem to be without any power to effect sensible outcomes from the public service on issues like this, and they increasingly see it as representative rather than exceptional.”
The States meeting starts at 09:30 on Wednesday 19 February.
Among the items scheduled for debate are legislation around this year’s Election Polling stations and postal voting, and an update on Marriage regulations with attempts to align celebrant fees.
The States will be looking at the Major Projects Portfolio, and the States members pay review recommendations.
Plans to future proof Guernsey Dairy, the future of 5G technologies, and the ‘Private Care Home Stabilisation’ policy letter are also on the agenda.