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A decision made 5 January 2010 regarding: Fort Regent - establishment of working group P.188/2009 - amendment.

Decision Reference: MD-ESC-2010-0001
Decision Summary Title):	Fort Regent Establishment of a Work Group : Amendment		Date of Decision Summary:	7th January 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Derek De La Haye Assistant Director Sport & Leisure		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Establishment of a Working Group (p.188/2009) Second Amendment		Date of Written Report:	5th January 2010
Written Report Author:	Derek De La Haye Assistant Director Sport & Leisure		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Fort Regent: Establishment of a Working Group (P.188/2009) – amendment.
Decision(s): The Minister lodged the attached amendment to P.188/2009.
Reason(s) for Decision: The amendment was made to a Proposition from the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel which requested the Minister for ESC to establish and lead a working group to produce a cohesive and realistic plan for the future development of Fort Regent. There was also an amendment from Deputy T Pitman to include at least one States Deputy from St Helier District No 1. The Minister did not agree with the proposition and decided to put an amendment which changed the working group into a political steering group which included representatives from the Parish of St Helier.
Resource Implications: Additional resources will be required by the steering group to develop a master plan. These will need to be identified in Department business plans for 2011.
Action required: The amendment to be lodged Au Greffe. Summary report to be sent to Council of Ministers.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Education, Sport and Culture
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Fort Regent - establishment of working group P.188/2009 - amendment

FORT REGENT: ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP (P.188/2009) – SECOND AMENDMENT

1. PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –

For the words “working group” substitute the words “political steering group”; delete the words “Jersey Heritage Trust,”; and for the words “and the Planning and Environment Department, in order to ensure collaboration between these key parties,” substitute the words “, the Planning and Environment Department and the Parish of St Helier, who will consult with other interested parties including the Jersey Heritage Trust and the Fort Users Association”

2. PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

For the words “working group” substitute the words “political steering group”

Report

Although I am prepared to establish and lead a steering group to produce a plan for the future development of Fort Regent, I have concerns about the resources required to deliver this and the make up of the proposed group.

The availability of resources is of primary concern and one that must not be overlooked. This is also acknowledged by the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel who accept that significant resources may be required in any future development proposals. Members will need to keep this in mind when deciding whether to support the main proposition or this amendment.

A piecemeal approach is not an option if the future of the Fort and the surrounding area is to be resolved, so the main focus of the Steering Group will be to produce a Masterplan for the public and ultimately the States to consider.

This amendment focuses on the makeup of the group by mirroring the successful format used to progress the development of other large tracts of public land such as the approved Masterplan for the Esplanade Quarter and the more recent North of St Helier Masterplan. The amendment proposes the setting up of a Political Steering Group and includes representation from the Parish of St Helier, a matter which Deputy T. Pitman raises in a separate amendment. It is anticipated that an officer working group would be set up to support the political steering group ensuring that the development of a plan is progressed in a timely manner.

It is vital to have representation from the Planning and Environment Department on both groups. However it is also recognised that the department will need to consult with its advisers when considering any planning applications. Jersey Heritage will be a key advisor at this stage so it would be inappropriate for them to be included on the Political Steering Group.

Part of the process will necessarily involve both the private and public sector including Jersey Heritage Trust and the Fort Users Association as a plan is developed.

Although the Education and Home Affairs Panel suggest that the preliminary work required to be carried out by the steering group could be funded within existing resources, it should be recognised that department officers are fully occupied in their current roles and it may be necessary for them to review their priorities.

Financial and Manpower Resources.

To ensure a successful outcome, additional resources will be required by the steering group to develop a Masterplan and implement any improvements to the site. Therefore it needs to be recognised at the outset that this steering group will only be able to progress its work if the required resources can be found. Progress will be dependent on successful bids being included in departmental business plans for 2011 and ultimately approved by the States.

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE