Education and Health back delay to hospital versus schools decision

Friday 09 June 2023

Health and Education have common ground in one element of the capital debate - the need to delay a decision.

The two committees are fighting it out to have their major projects funded first, something which was going to be decided in July.

But Policy & Resources has now decided that should be delayed until September so decisions can first be made about funding, which could include borrowing.

The States released a joint statement from the committee presidents. 

“‘It is crucial for both of our programmes that we receive certainty as soon as possible,” Deputies Andrea Dudley-Owen and Al Brouard said.

“This certainty is essential for Health & Social Care’s services users, for those accessing education, be they children, young people or adult learners, for both Committees’ staff and the wider community. 

“We are grateful to the Policy & Resources Committee for the way its members have engaged with us to date and we both understand its reasons and agree with the process it is setting out, which should ensure we receive that much-needed certainty in September.

“It is sensible and pragmatic to ensure that the States debates the prioritisation of the capital portfolio and how it will be funded at the same time, which will now happen in September.”

P&R has recommended pressing ahead with the post-16 project, including developing the campus at Les Ozouets, above the next phase of developing the hospital.

It has been argued there is not enough capacity in the construction sector to do both at the same time, even if the money was available.

The senior committee’s failure to win over colleagues on GST led to it deciding to reorder what major projects should go ahead this term.

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P&R considers borrowing to fund capital projects