Amendment lodged over cost of redevelopment plan

Sir Philip Bailhache says "Jersey cannot afford to spend £110m on Fort Regent's restoration

An amendment has been lodged to block plans to redevelop a leisure centre in Jersey.

Money was set aside in the budget for the revamp of Fort Regent in St Helier, but Deputy Bailhache has submitted an amendment amid concerns that it may be unaffordable.

Concerns were raised earlier this month about how it would be funded, but the Government of Jersey said it would borrow £43m, with the remaining £67m detailed in future budgets.

Sir Philip said in a report that, without raising taxes, "Jersey cannot afford to spend £110m" on the project and that "borrowing is not the answer".

Sir Philip said the facility "afforded delight" for islanders but "its slow decline and eventual closure on safety grounds have posed a problem for successive governments".

He said he supported the plans in "broad terms" but said his concerns are with how its paid for.

"The budget proposes that £43m be borrowed to meet the cost of Phase 1.

"The estimated cost of Phase 2 is, however, £67m, so that the States are being asked, in effect, to approve borrowing of at least £110m for the restoration of Fort Regent - this is a colossal sum."

'Increasing taxes'

He said the cost of borrowing £110m would be more than £8m every year.

"In the current state of the island's finances, and with the global uncertainties which threaten us, the restoration of Fort Regent cannot be afforded without increasing taxes."

The amendment is due to be debated by the States as part of a wider budget debate in December.