Senator Le Fondré is willing to tackle big issues – at his own pace

Just one of a number of messages I received earlier this week after Monday’s front-page story. My scoop that Andium Homes’ plan to build affordable homes at Ann Court in town could be axed because the Chief Minister wants to put the new States HQ there instead.

Interestingly, the response didn’t quite marry with my understanding of Senator John Le Fondré’s plan. While his track record has been one of taking his time to do, well, er, anything at all – when it comes to this review of what the public sector does with the land and property it owns, it could be wrapped up before Christmas.

And the Chief Minister has good reason to consider the States’ sprawling portfolio. There’s stuff sitting empty or falling derelict. There’s stuff that’s utterly inefficient. If you were starting from scratch things would look very different.

Which brings us on to the hospital. Under Anne Pryke as Health Minister it was going to be split between the current site and Overdale. Under Andrew Green it was, eventually, a rebuild next to the existing one.

By the time you read this we may well also know about the latest plans as a result of the Chief Minister-ordered review of the previously shortlisted sites. My sources tell me to expect that report to favour Overdale. It’s currently Tuesday afternoon. By the time you read this on Thursday you’ll either know if I’m right, wrong, or ahead of the announcement. Fingers crossed.

I mention this because it does show Senator Le Fondré is willing to tackle big issues. It’s just that he’s doing it at a pace which is at odds with the mantra of ‘change’ and ‘reform’ in the public sector.

Next month we’ll also have the Council of Ministers’ priority list signed off by the States Assembly and then, perhaps, the actual work of the parliament which was elected six months ago can actually begin.

So, it’s not quite the ‘doing nothing’ as characterised by my correspondent, but it absolutely explains why many both inside and outside the public sector are increasingly frustrated at the apparent lack of political leadership.

Many congratulations to every person involved in events across last weekend to mark the centenary of the signing of the Armistice. I, for one, found it profoundly moving that Jersey did so much to mark the anniversary.

From the service on the Parade to the procession of motorbikes. From the torch lights in every parish to the proud display of poppies wherever I looked. Wherever I looked, it was evident that moving form of words which ends with ‘we will remember them’ rings as true today as it ever did.

A pile of junk mail landed on my doormat this week. There was a brochure for a local clothes shop, a voucher for an online print firm, a leaflet about how to avoid being a victim of fraud, and a little booklet about Christmas in St Helier.

If you’ve not read it yet, I recommend you do so. If you hear anybody saying there’s nothing to do in town in the coming weeks, point them in its direction.

It achieves what increasing numbers of switched-on retailers have been saying for ages, and that’s the importance of promoting the ‘experience’ you’ll get if you head to town.

There’s no point in moaning about the internet. It’s a fact of life.

Earlier today I was using the Amazon app on my phone to buy something, but I also went into town this morning to make a purchase. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

This Christmas, St Helier is promoting its festive markets, the lights switch-on and parade, late-night opening, volunteer gift wrappers, street food, craft workshops, live music, ice skating, carol concerts, and – of course – a chance to meet Father Christmas.

These are all things I can’t do on the internet. They’re all about sharing a moment with others, trying and doing, having things to tell your friends about afterwards. This is where St Helier can excel.

Get this right and I, for one, will be making even more trips to town in the coming weeks to see and do and, yes, spend some money!