POLITICIANS have pressed the government to provide full costings for the proposed New Healthcare Facilities project when the scheme is brought to the States Assembly next year.
During question time yesterday, Assistant Treasury Minister Steve Ahier was asked to provide a breakdown for £52 million of further investment laid out in the proposed Government Plan for 2024-27, which will be voted on this December.
Deputy Ahier said the government’s intention was to lodge a proposition next summer, which would cover details of the project.
Ahead of that, he said that the Government Plan funding would enable further work including demolition of the Overdale site, design work and a planning application for replacement facilities on this site, preparatory work at Kensington Place, the costs of the central project team and a contingency allowance.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham said he was concerned that Members might be asked to approve the project next summer without having full costs, a view shared by Deputy Rob Ward.
Deputy Ahier said he understood the concerns, and believed that full costings “should be” included as part of the proposition.
Earlier this year, the Comptroller and Auditor General found that £130m had been spent on the project since 2012, of which just shy of £40m were “abortive” costs. This estimate was issued before a further £51.5m was set aside for 2023.
