Members yesterday voted against a proposition lodged by Deputy Montfort Tadier that called for the project to be delayed until the outcome of a Scrutiny review into the work was known.
He said the rejection of the proposition showed that the Island faced three years of leadership from a Council of Ministers who ‘had the numbers’ to approve or reject anything they wanted.
Part A
FOR: Senator Zoe Cameron; Constables Mezbourian, Le Sueur-Rennard and Taylor; Deputies Martin, Southern, Labey, Hilton, Le Fondré, Lewis, Tadier, Maçon, Mézec, Doublet, Russell Labey, Brée and McDonald (17)
AGAINST: Senators Maclean, Gorst, Farnham, Bailhache and Green; Constables Crowcroft, Norman, Refault, Gallichan, Paddock, Pallett, Le Troquer, Le Maistre and Le Sueur; Deputies Pryke, Noel, Pinel, Luce, Bryans, Moore, Renouf, Wickenden, Norton, Johnson, Truscott and McLinton. (26)
ABSTAINED: Deputies Vallois and Andrew Lewis (2)
Part B
FOR: Senator Zoe Cameron; Deputies Martin, Southern, Labey, Hilton Le Fondré, Lewis, Tadier, Maçon, Mézec, Doublet, Brée and McDonald (13)
AGAINST: Senators Maclean, Gorst, Farnham, Bailhache and Green; Constables Crowcroft, Norman, Refault, Mezbourian, Gallichan, Paddock, Pallett, Le Troquer, Le Maistre and Le Sueur; Deputies Pryke, Noel, Vallois, Pinel, Luce, Bryans, Moore, Renouf, Russell Labey, Wickenden, Norton, Johnson, Truscott and McLinton. (29)
ABSTAINED: Constable Christopher Taylor and Deputy Andrew Lewis (2)
Taking the proposition in two parts, Members voted 26 to 17 against delaying the scheme and also rejected calls for the Council of Ministers to have to present plans for the long-awaited development before giving the Assembly a final vote. That part of the proposition was defeated by 29 votes to 13.
The rejection follows weeks of debate and two protests over the States-owned Jersey Development Company’s plans to build six large offices on the Esplanade car park.
After his proposition was defeated Deputy Tadier said the JDC’s decision to start work having let roughly 25 per cent of the first building meant the organisation was not complying with rules set out and approved by the States when it created the company.
‘It also shows that ministers have got the numbers and for the next three years will be able to get through whatever they want, whether it is right or wrong for Jersey,’ Deputy Tadier said.
During the debate the backbencher raised concerns that rules created when the JDC was formed, which he said meant the organisation had to obtain enough pre-lets to cover the construction of each building, had not been adhered to.
He said the guidelines did not set out that pre-lets could be used in order to justify a loan to pay for building the first office unit.
‘Undertakings have been broken, U-turns have occurred and both the Assembly and public have been taken for granted,’ he added.
6 – The number of office blocks proposed for the site
200,000 – The amount of office space in square feet former Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf said would have to be pre-let before work could begin. Senator Maclean said this was a mistake
13 – The number of prospective tenants supposedly in talks to move into the development
16,000 – The square footage to be taken by Swiss bank UBS, with the option of a further 7,000 sq ft
1,200 – The number of people who have signed a petition to halt the development
£50 million – The amount the JDC estimate the development could return to the Treasury Department
However, Treasury Minister Alan Maclean denied that any promises had been broken, saying that the JDC had acted in accordance with their remit by securing enough pre-lets to cover the cost of the first building.
Senator Maclean also warned that ‘to delay would incur significant costs’, adding that the first building could make a profit of £4.2 million once costs had been covered and the whole building had been fitted out.
‘Why would any tenant take time and incur costs to enter negotiations with the JDC that could be stopped by factors outside their control?’
Senator Maclean went on to tell the Assembly that the JDC would not sign any further pre-let agreements until Scrutiny had published its report on the project.
Despite a few speeches in support of the proposition, some of which claimed that moving ahead with the building project risked undermining Scrutiny’s efforts to carry out work on behalf of the public, most Members said it was time to let the scheme progress.
Chief Minister Ian Gorst warned that backing the finance centre was necessary to ensure a positive future for the Island’s children.
Environment Minister Steve Luce added: ‘We need to stop the trend of saying no to everything, we need to be strong and decisive and we need to move ahead.’
St Ouen Deputy Richard Renouf said: ‘I don’t believe it is at all in the public interest to call a halt and create what I consider would be a long period of uncertainty in which the States would be held up to be a vacillating, indecisive body.’
Building work is expected to begin in the coming weeks after contractors Camerons Ltd are given control of the site on 22 June.
‘Are we builders of office space? No we’re not, we are a political body.’
Deputy Geoff Southern
‘I feel sorry for any company that has been caught up in the middle of this.’
Deputy Judy Martin
‘If we want to have a sound economic future for the people we represent we must reject this proposition.’
Constable Len Norman
‘If we choose to vote against this proposition you are also voting to undermine the whole Scrutiny process, so I would consider that when you are passing your vote.’
Deputy Louise Doublet
‘The fundamental point for me is that we need grade A office space to continue to deliver a strong future for our children and our children’s children.’
Chief Minister Ian Gorst
