Delay will push up cost of school rebuild, says minister

Saturday 21st February 2009, 9:29AM GMT.

DELAYING the capital prioritisation debate will add to the cost of rebuilding Les Beaucamps school, according to Education minister Carol Steere (pictured).

The Policy Council has pushed the matter back from March to May to allow members to discuss funding.

‘I am disappointed. I have had to accept that it will happen in May and have asked for assurance that it really will,’ she said.

There would inevitably be repercussions, she said. ‘Any delay on the project affects what plans we have in mind and it puts back the dates – there is always some form of financial cost with any delay.’

She had hoped to get the go-ahead in March so a report could be brought to the Assembly the following month. ‘We would have been planning to return to the States with the report in April so we could get on with the project, so for it to be pushed back is annoying but we hope that by June they will say green light, off you go,’ she said.

The delay could have extra implications because the project involves a school with term dates, she said.

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1
Paul

February 21, 2009 at 11:31 am

Costs are reducing all the time surely? Building firms are getting more competitive and supplies are building up which would suggest that they are getting cheaper to purchase.

I have no doubt that a new school could be ordered, prefabricated, and erected within 4 to six months.

I am not talking about the rubbish that the Island has seen already. Fine quality exceptionally efficient in all areas with just a little bit of imagination.

We need to stop having a mentality where we as Islanders think we know best. It is time to look elsewhere and see how others tackle problems.

Even the best designed buildings have a practical shelf life. The trouble is us Islanders tend to get nostalgic and not wish to let go of our past. A school needs good facilities. However it is what goes on inside that makes the difference.

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2
Stephen John

February 22, 2009 at 7:47 am

Mrs Steere seems to be assuming that the decision is a foregone conclusion. Perhaps don’t count your chickens etc is something Mrs Steere should be told.

The scare story about costs suggests that Mrs Steere is using scare tactica or that she simply doesn’t understand what a recession is.

As Paul has said now is the time to look for value and good deals. It might also help reduce the unemployment level etc.

Given the woefull performance of her department in the Sschool closure debate, Mrs Steer needs to up her own performance and that of her mediocre department, if she has any chnace of getting the funds.

One thing for sure is that the debate will be fascinating for the range of wonderful (and selfish) reasons that will be given, as to why my department should have funds, and s*d his or her department.

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3
Paul Le P

February 22, 2009 at 8:26 am

“it is what goes on inside that makes the difference.” – excellent comment, Paul and spot on.

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4
kevin

February 23, 2009 at 9:30 am

With our island being totally skint why on earth are we looking at rebuilding rather than repairing and altering this school?
I’m sure it could be made fit for purpose at a fraction of the thirty odd million cost of a complete rebuild, maybe if our previous States members had not wasted money hand over fist this island wouldn’t be in the financial mess it is now!
If we don’t stop wasting money it will be pointless giving our kids the best facilities and education because they won’t be able to afford to live in Guernsey.

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5
Eric

February 24, 2009 at 1:01 pm

I sincerely hope that I am wrong;

But if they carry on with spending OUR money like a sponge with liquid; then trouble is brewing.

I forecast (this is where I hope I am wrong) That if money is not made available for a class A1 sewage system- then perhaps children will be too ill to attend these multi million schools.

It’s about time the States got their so-called act together and for all to prioterize a sewage system .It’s not a luxury, but a must to protect our coming generations.

If the States can’t see it as a dire need, then they should fold their chairs and go home into retirement; for they do not do what the people want.

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