Delays to Le Squez Youth Centre 'are devastating'

Deputy Karen Wilson has criticised a new youth facility in St Helier getting more funding while Le Squez's redevelopment is delayed

Jersey's children's minister has been criticised by States backbenchers for allegedly neglecting the redevelopment of Le Squez Youth Centre in St Clement.

The criticism has come after some States members highlighted funding for a new youth centre in St Helier could increase by more than 57%.

Deputy Karen Wilson said it was "devastating" more money could be made available for the St Helier centre, while the redevelopment of Le Squez was not to take place until 2028.

Minister Richard Vibert defended the increased funding for the new centre at the Ann Street brewery site, adding Le Squez was still due to be dealt with, but there was no youth facility in St Helier at the moment.

The costs for the new youth centre in St Helier are due to increase from £10.2m to £16.1m if the States approves the government's proposed budget for 2026-2029.

Vibert said the increased budget was because of higher building costs and the provision of new services, resulting in "more in the scope of the project".

He said: "We now have the Yes Project which supports young people, which will be on the same site and there is increased building costs."

Wilson said the additional funding for the new youth centre in St Helier was "devastating", given plans to redevelop Le Squez youth centre in St Clement would not start till at least 2028.

The proposed budget has £7.5m allocated for the refurbishment of Le Squez, but the government have said the money was unlikely to be available until 2028.

She said: "It's absolutely devastating because some of the pressure to commit to Le Squez is just going on deaf ears.

"Clearly it's a political choice that people are making, and what I'm trying to press the chief minister on is that there are other communities on our island outside of St Helier."

She added that young people in St Clement could not wait that long for specialised facilities.

She said: "The minister talks about developing this at pace, but it's like watching a tortoise go from one side of the road to the other - it's so slow.

"In St Clement, we have got a number of children who need additional support to be able to flourish and thrive.

"They don't have access, financially or facility-wise, to the range of facilities others have across the island."

Vibert explained the St Helier centre was more of a priority.

He said: "Le Squez will still be redeveloped in a few years' time after the St Helier project.

"What we have to remember is what's best for our young people.

"There is no youth facility in St Helier at the moment.

"There are hundreds of children that have very little to do and it's important the youth service is able to offer a facility for all those children in St Helier."