Scrutiny responds to 'surprise' £350m plans
Scrutiny
16 July 2025
The Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Hilary Jeune, has expressed surprise at the media interview given by Deputy Tom Binet, in which he revealed proposals, under ‘Project Breakwater’, to invest £350 million across the health service and in infrastructure developments, funded by borrowing or dipping into savings.Panel Chair, Deputy Jeune said: ‘We have been asking for briefings and details of ‘Project Breakwater’ in relation to infrastructure investment, since December of last year and have been repeatedly told that we will have to wait until all is unveiled in the Budget. This is concerning when we are waiting to scrutinise the spending of hundreds of millions of pounds of public money which is being used for key infrastructure projects such as Fort Regent and the revitalisation of the town centre. How these are to be funded and who is responsible for these projects, such as where they fit into the infrastructure department remit, are key questions we need answered.
'There appears to be no cohesive strategy from the Council of Ministers, with regard to what this project is, who is responsible for its oversight, and how it is communicated to States Members and the public.
‘We will be holding a standalone Hearing with the Minister for Infrastructure on 2 September to review progress with the Revitalisation of St Helier, one of the Common Strategic Policy objectives, and would welcome Deputy Binet’s input at this Hearing so that Scrutiny and the public can see how these visions align.’
The Public Quarterly Hearing will be streamed live on Tuesday 2nd September and members of the public will be able to view online at States Assembly | Watch Scrutiny on demand.
