And the minister hit back at a question from St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft about whether he had discussed the matter with the Chief Minister as promised, saying that the Island’s political leader had more important matters of state to deal with such as Brexit.
Mr Crowcroft had asked what progress had been made on discussions about bringing St Helier into line with other parishes, where the provision of public toilets is covered by the States and not the parish. During follow-up questions he later explained that St Helier ratepayers were already burdened with paying for facilities such as parks and public areas enjoyed by all Islanders – an imbalance he said was on the agenda to be sorted out as part of the last Strategic Plan.
The States was told that under the current arrangement the parish looks after public toilets within the ring road, and the Infrastructure Department oversees those outside of it.
Deputy Lewis responded by saying that as most people who visit St Helier from other parishes do so to shop, then it was fair that the parish rates paid by shops should be spent on providing public toilets. He also hit out at the Constable, questioning why he kept turning toilets into cafés.
When pressed, Deputy Lewis said that he had mentioned the matter to the Chief Minister during a conversation about other issues, but it had not been taken any further.
Instead he said that if the Constable wanted to have a conversation about the States taking on public toilets in St Helier, then all he had to do was ask.
‘Yes I have discussed this with the department and regarding another conversation with the Chief Minister I did mention this. The Chief Minister is dealing with important matters of state like Brexit, I didn’t want to burden him with toilets,’ Deputy Lewis said.
‘If the Constable would like me to take any responsibility, that is a conversation we can have.’
However, he later added: ‘I don’t think it is unreasonable that the parish should provide these facilities.’
Meanwhile, during a brief exchange with Deputy Montfort Tadier on the same topic, the minister was made to withdraw a comment asking if the Deputy ‘makes a habit out of hanging around in public toilets’.
Deputy Tadier responded by saying that while he did not make a habit of it, if he did, then the minister would have seen him there.
