A PLAQUE apologising to survivors of care abuse may not be installed on a building in the Royal Square after all and its wording may be tweaked following a public backlash, it has emerged – despite plans being approved.
The slate plaque was slated for the south-facing wall of Piquet House and was designed as a public apology from the government on behalf of the States of Jersey to those affected by the Jersey Independent Care Inquiry.
Plans were approved in May and the notice was due to read: “To the children abused while in the care of the States of Jersey: We failed you. We apologise for all you endured. We are truly sorry. From the Government of Jersey 2025.”
But Assistant Chief Minister Malcolm Ferey told Scrutineers this week that they were working with care leavers “to get the wording right and to decide on the correct location” for the plaque.
He said it was likely the wording would be changed “slightly” and that they might put the plaque somewhere else, suggesting the stalled “place to remember” project at La Collette Gardens as potentially a “more appropriate place for a public apology”.
Deputy Ferey highlighted “negative opinions” following the unveiling of the Piquet House plans – reported in the media – which he said “we’ve got to listen to”.
Deputy Ferey’s comments suggested that plans for La Collette Gardens – which were approved last year and included a ‘place to remember’ for those who were failed by the Island’s care system, a new path, pergolas and a fountain – could be back on the table.
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said in March last year that ministers were looking at alternative funding methods for the project after a request for funding in the 2023 Government Plan was turned down.
Mr Jehan last week unveiled flood prevention plans to bolster a stretch of the south coastline from La Collette Gardens to La Grande Charrière Slipway which also included public realm improvements and landscaped coastal gardens.
Deputy Ferey stressed that they were “still in discussion” regarding the plaque, when he appeared before the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel on Friday.
