‘Beaucamps has to be priority’

By Gemma Hockey

NO LONGER fit for purpose, Les Beaucamps Secondary School must be allocated money from the capital reserve, says the Education minister. But though he is keen to progress his department’s project, Martin Ozanne said that work must continue on the health development plan.

Deputy Ozanne said that the £40m. Treasury and Resources has earmarked from its revenue surplus, property rationalisation and the remains of the Housing Development Loan Fund should be used to rebuild the school, which is nearly 50 years old.

‘Obviously we want to redevelop Les Beaucamps as soon as we can because it is costing us a lot of money to maintain and is no longer fit for purpose,’ said Deputy Ozanne.

‘Les Beaucamps is the oldest secondary school, far older than La Mare de Carteret. Although La Mare needs to be redeveloped also, Les Beaucamps must be a priority,’ he said.

Treasury has said that the surplus - announced in last week’s Budget - should be used to fund a major capital project such as the next stage in the education development plan or progressing the health equivalent.

The former includes the rebuild of Les Beaucamps and La Mare de Carteret and the latter the relocation of services currently provided at the Castel Hospital.

Deputy Ozanne said he would not want to see the health plan suffer.

‘Health will need some funding if it is available,’ he said ‘When it comes to allocation of the capital reserve fund, I think there is every opportunity for a new school to be built at Les Beaucamps and a continuation of the development of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

‘I think that’s the best way forward and I’m pretty confident this will happen,’ he said.

Plans for a new school at Les Beaucamps were progressing.

‘We are at the moment in the design stage and talking to the Environment Department about the most appropriate location for a building on that site.

‘When we have more feedback, Education will be approaching the Treasury and Resources Department with some indication about when we would ready to begin work on the project there.’

Head teacher Peter Le Cheminant said news that the school could be rebuilt was extremely exciting.

‘I think it’s certainly a step in the right direction. £40m. is around the right price tag for a new school. That’s around the cost it was given last time,’ he said.

Mr Le Cheminant said he understood there were other priorities such as the relocation of services at the Castel Hospital that needed addressing also.

‘It is of course up to the next States to decide and we hope that they make the right decision.’