Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): twenty-ninth amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(29)) – comments. Le Squez.
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STATES OF JERSEY
PROPOSED BUDGET (GOVERNMENT PLAN) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): TWENTY-
NINTH AMENDMENT (P.70/2025 AMD.(29)) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 4th December 2025 by the Council of Ministers
STATES GREFFE
2025 P.70 Amd.(29) Com.
COMMENTS
Introduction
This amendment proposes bringing forward money which is allocated in 2028 and 2029 for the redevelopment of Le Squez Youth Club to be allocated instead in 2026 and 2027. It is proposed that the £4.5 million allocated in 2028 be brought forward to 2026, and £2.97 million allocated for 2029 be brought forward to 2027.
This is to be achieved by reducing the funding for the redevelopment of Fort Regent in 2026 and 2027 by the requisite amounts, and re-allocating that money instead to 2028 and 2029.
At present, there is no project or plan in place for the upgrade of Le Squez Youth Club to commence in 2026 and 2027. Accordingly, this is not deliverable from 2026. The money would simply remain unspent, and the consequential impact on the Fort Regent project would serve only to delay that project as well.
Youth facilities
Deputy Wilson lodged a similar amendment to the last budget. Ministers explained in comments to that amendment that the Le Squez project is scheduled to recommence in 2028. Funding has been allocated accordingly in this budget.
Accelerating the funding to 2026 would be counterproductive. The project remains at the feasibility stage, with detailed design works still to take place, and planning approval having neither been sought nor gained. It is highly unlikely that this work would be completed in time to allow any work to commence in 2026.
As stated last year, further work is needed to refine the proposition for Le Squez and to take into account the forthcoming flagship town youth centre proposed for Ann Street. While that site in no way negates the need for a development at Le Squez, its relative proximity, and the fact that it is partly intended to act as a destination for young people from across the Island, means it has implications for the facilities that are required at Le Squez. To maximise the impact of the two projects, we need to ensure that they complement each other and that the youth service is able to provide as diverse a range of services as possible to young people in the areas. The priority therefore remains delivering a new facility in town where none currently exists.
Fort Regent
In addition to not achieving the desired outcome at Le Squez in 2026 and 2027, the amendment would impact on the project to redevelop Fort Regent by removing money from that programme. A revitalised Fort is going to be of particular benefit to young people in the island, and it is vital that we get on with this work so that the Fort can once again become the island's premier leisure and entertainment venue, and a destination of choice for young people and families. The intention is to re-open Fort Regent by the end of 2028, and any re-allocation of money will likely push that date into 2029 and possibly further, given that it will inevitably delay the initial work required to make the site safe and fit for future redevelopment.
Conclusion
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P.70/2025 Amd.(29) Com.
The position has not changed since the debate on the last budget, when Members rejected a similar amendment. Funding is in place for Le Squez from 2028, which is deliverable and correlates with other capital projects that will benefit young people in the island. The proposal in the amendment is undeliverable of itself, and will unnecessarily impact on the Fort Regent project as well. Accordingly, Members are asked to reject the amendment.
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P.70/2025 Amd.(29) Com.