Deputy John Young was asked about the Future St Helier Group, by group member St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, during this week’s States sitting.
Mr Crowcroft was seeking assurances that the body would continue and Deputy Young told him that the aims of the group would be a key priority for him over the next four years.
‘I hope that my colleagues will make the future of St Helier crucial to our future strategic plans,’ he said.
However, he added that until the current reorganisation of government departments and processes was complete, he could not say what resources were likely to be available for urban regeneration. St Helier No 1 Deputy Russell Labey wanted to know why suggestions made ten years ago in the North of St Helier Masterplan, such as improvements to David Place through to Bath Street, could not still be implemented.
‘Why can’t we do something that has been sitting around for years rather than waiting for another review?’ he asked.
The Environment Minister said he shared the Deputy’s concerns, and that he also wanted to see action in St Helier but said he had to wait to see what resources were available.
Without criticising his predecessor, he added: ‘The [Future St Helier] group has been “hamstrung” because no mechanisms had been put in place to link it with strategic planning and that is something I will drive with the Council of Ministers in the next four years.’
Replying to a question from St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft during this week’s sitting, a member of the Future St Helier Group who was seeking an assurance it would continue, Deputy John Young said its aims would be a key priority for him – and the Council of Ministers – over the next four years.
