Building industry not ‘weak link’ in new schools project
EDUCATION, Sport & Culture has been criticised for citing concerns about the construction industry while raising the spectre of a delay to the implementation of its flagship secondary and post-16 rebuilding programme.
In a statement ESC said it was not planning to deviate from its deadline of September 2024, but that it was under threat due to construction sector capacity and supply chain issues.
However, construction bosses have reacted strongly to the implication that they might represent a weak link in ESC’s ambitions, which are to deliver a new sixth form centre and Guernsey Institute at Les Ozouets, while preparing Les Varendes to accommodate all the pupils from La Mare de Carteret High School, which will close.
‘Nobody’s asked us whether we can deliver it or not,’ said Guernsey Construction Forum chairman John Bampkin.
‘They’re not engaging with us. They haven’t even talked to us.
‘This is a perfect example of why the States and industry need to be joined at the hip. We have just under three years. If we knew now what the exact requirement and specification of the build project looked like, I am very confident that the construction industry could get itself fully equipped to deliver it.’
He said the Forum had been formed specifically to advise government to engage with industry, in order to help it plan more effectively, so maximising the use of local firms and resources.
‘As far as I am aware, nobody has actually asked the construction industry if we can deliver on this timeline,’ Mr Bampkin said.
‘We at the GCF have certainly not been asked. It’s such a shame. We really can get this right if they would just open up a bit and trust industry to help them.’
Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association secretary Brian Singleton said his organisation had not been consulted either. The organisation was established in 1918 and represents 137 local firms, including RG Falla, Ronez and States Works.
The Education Committee said it had been speaking directly to construction firms ‘who appeared to hold a different view’.
‘The committee has sought to keep stakeholders and the wider community updated on the implementation of the new model for secondary and post-16 education,' said vice-president Deputy Bob Murray.
'We wanted to be honest about the potential risk to the timeline for delivery, but also reassure that at this stage we remain determined to do everything possible to achieve that September 2024 date.
‘Through discussions with the construction industry it is clear to the programme team that challenges around capacity and materials supply exist.
‘However, I repeat that we continue to work towards the original timeline and as such it would be premature to speculate about contingency plans, which are of course being worked up as part of our good forward planning.’
According to ESC’s policy letter on secondary and post-16 reorganisation, which was approved by States members without amendment in September, all students at Les Ozouets will be ‘decanted’ by the end of this academic year, apart from those studying performing arts. This will enable the demolition of the existing building – formerly St Peter Port Secondary School – ready for the long-awaited new Guernsey Institute premises to be built on the site, which will also house the sixth form centre.
The fact that political approval only came in September represented an early delay to ESC’s £43.5m. plans. The debate was originally discussed in the mid-July States meeting but was held over for two months after members were unable to complete the debate by 5.30pm on the Friday afternoon.
This ‘put some immediate strain on that already tight timeline’ according to yesterday’s statement.
The way the news was announced was met with disdain by former chief minister Gavin St Pier.
‘Normal practice (and courtesy) would have seen this press release shared with deputies before the media - especially as a number of us raised exactly these questions and concerns around the delivery timetable at the October States’ meeting,’ he said.
The Guernsey Press asked yesterday morning for an interview with ESC president Andrea Dudley-Owen or a member of her committee and, on request, submitted questions. Those relating to contingency plans and budget implications were described by a spokesman as ‘speculative at this stage’. It remains unclear which firms or representative bodies have been in regular dialogue with ESC. No opportunity for an interview was offered in time for this edition.
