MINISTERS are set to hold talks today in a bid to resolve a stalemate over the construction contract for the Island’s new hospital.
Although a preferred bidder for the project, budgeted at £710 million, was confirmed by the government in November, Health Minister Tom Binet told the JEP that the contract with Bouygues UK had yet to be signed.
Treasury Minister Elaine Millar confirmed that the matter would form part of the agenda for a Council of Ministers meeting today, admitting that there had been delays while details regarding the project are finalised.
“I don’t think it’s anything hugely problematic, but it is a complex area and it probably has taken a bit longer to resolve than anyone would have liked,” she said. “These things take time, and we’ll be discussing [at Council of Ministers] to look at how this is managed if it should move into the election period.”
The so-called “purdah” period around the election is due to start next week, coinciding with nominations opening ahead of polling day on 7 June. Although this period brings restrictions on how politicians who are part of government promote their work, the guidelines around purdah do allow for normal government business to continue.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf, chair of the Hospital Review Panel established as part of the Assembly’s Scrutiny function, said he hoped the matter would be resolved.
“It’s concerning that there’s no contract so close to the election period starting,” he said. “I’m sure ministers are working very hard on it and I’m supportive of the government’s attempts to get the best deal possible for this very important project.”
Deputy Binet had earlier declined to be drawn on the reasons for the delay, although it is believed that a range of contractual detail remained to be finalised as recently as the end of last week, with the position complicated by the financial position of Bouygues UK, which has recorded losses of £136m since 2022, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.
Preparatory works at the Overdale site have been underway for some time, with local contractor Ashbe and its subcontractors clearing and levelling the site by breaking up old asphalt and moving ground ready for the main contractor to take over.
The first phase of construction is expected to begin at the western end of the site, where the land falls away towards Val André. A lower ground floor will be built there, housing facilities including pathology, staff changing rooms and plant equipment such as cold-water tanks and back-up generators.
