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Deputies have voted against two amendments that would’ve seen the States borrow to fund the long-delayed and disrupted Transforming Education Programme.
Amendment 12 would’ve seen the TEP added to the agreed capital investment portfolio and funded through a maximum of £200million of additional borrowing.
A second amendment was debated in tandem which would’ve done the same but with increases to revenue generated from the corporate sector bolted on.
Both were knocked back, with deputies voting 18/22 against amendment 12 and 16/24 against amendment 18.
The theme of an impossible debate focused on trying to balance the completion of the TEP with the difficult fiscal position the island is in. Many deputies were seriously concerned with millions of pounds worth of unfunded borrowing, at a point in time when affordable housing has been touted as the States priority.
However, it was also argued that it remains consistently unfair that the agreed upon TEP continues to sit in limbo, with no funding allocated for the £111million project.
Pictured: President of ESC, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, said, "some of our teaching spaces are in a state of dilapidation... some areas are now unusable – the reality is, we have to more forwards”.
During debate, Deputy Heidi Soulsby said: "These amendments will add £7.4million to our annual deficit.”
She bemoaned the idea that this iteration of the States could lead into the next term with almost a third of a billion in unfunded debt.
She said she does want to see the Guernsey Institute rebuilt but "plunging us into more debt without a way of paying it back" is not good governance.
"If the Assembly cares about this island's finances they shouldn't support these amendments."
Pictured: "I want to apologise to all teachers and students for the States' inability to choose a model and fund it,” said Deputy Victoria Oliver.
In replying to debate on amendments 12 and 18 Deputy Helyar said "everyone is right here".
"We all desperately want this to be resolved, but we all also recognise that we have a huge fiscal problem.
"There isn't anything I can hugely disagree with."
The debate sits within a wider debate on the 2024 Budget.
The TEP will once again be discussed however, as two new amendments have been lodged which would direct Policy and Resources to take a breath and return to the States next year with a clearer picture of funding proposals that could support the continuation of the TEP.
You can follow the debate LIVE ONLINE.
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