ANY attempts to block the agreed tender of the Havre des Pas Lido should be paused until after an independent review has been carried out, the Infrastructure Minister has said.
Constable Andy Jehan has said it would be “inappropriate” for States Members to unilaterally award a lease to community group Love Our Lido.
Last month, the government confirmed that First Point had been awarded the contract to run and operate from the Lido.
This was after it was announced that community group Love Our Lido had lost its “preferred bidder” status following a break-down in communications.
The news sparked outrage from those involved with Love Our Lido and St Helier South Deputy David Warr, whose constituency includes Havre des Pas, lodged a proposition calling for the tender to be blocked, management and maintenance of the bathing pool to be transferred to Love Our Lido and an annual baseline government contribution of £170,000 from the government.
In an amendment, Mr Jehan is aiming to reshape Deputy David Warr’s original proposal by asking the States Assembly not to halt the current process, but keep all outcomes on the table pending the results of the independent review.
“The amendment accounts for all potential eventualities that may result from the independent review,” said Mr Jehan.
Based on the review’s findings, the government would then either confirm the First Point lease as originally proposed, seek vacant possession of the site while issues are resolved, or restart the tender process entirely.
The amendment also sets out rules for any future lease of the site – including an index-linked baseline contribution of at least £60,000 per annum to be provided by the Infrastructure Department.
The Infrastructure Minister also seeks to move the deadline forward to ensure the work is completed by 25 December 2025 – the date when the public will take vacant possession under the legal notice already served.
The proposition and the amendment is due to be debated next week.
