Education’s sixth-form plans could be derailed

In 2021, the States voted 23-16 for proposals from the Education, Sport & Culture committee for 11-16 schools on three sites and a separate sixth form centre at Les Ozouets alongside The Guernsey Institute.

But several deputies who voted for that scheme originally have told the Guernsey Press they are considering backing an amendment at next week’s States meeting which directs Education to pause the development of a post-16 campus and maintain the sixth form centre at Les Varendes.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby had not yet fully made up her mind but was moving towards voting for Deputy Aidan Matthews’ amendment.

‘Spending money on this project when finances are tight is difficult.

‘I do like the idea of the amendment. I’m going to listen to the debate, but I’m minded to support it,’ said Deputy Soulsby.

Deputy Marc Leadbeater said he was ‘not convinced that ESC has the best plan’ and would give the latest amendment to it ‘due consideration’.

Deputy Andrew Taylor said he was ‘open to a debate’ about revising ESC’s plan by keeping the sixth form centre at Les Varendes.

Two other deputies who backed Education’s scheme in 2021 said off the record that they would not have voted for it if they had known then what they know now and indicated that they were inclined to support the latest amendment.

ESC’s school model faces two hurdles in the States next week. After the vote on Deputy Matthews’ amendment on the sixth form centre, there will be a vote on whether to fund the estimated £120m. capital costs of the new model as part of plans put forward by Policy & Resources to take on additional borrowing of between £200m. and £350m.

Deputy Carl Meerveld said that keeping the sixth form centre at Les Varendes would be ‘more logistically difficult and expensive’ and ‘would change the perceived equality of offering’, but he indicated concern about funding for ESC’s plans.

‘I do have issues with supporting a capital expenditure project, be it a hospital or a school, before we have the revenue to pay for it,’ he said.

However, the committee received a boost from two States members who have previously campaigned for spending reductions when they said they did not want to see a reversal of ESC’s plans.

Guernsey Party members John Dyke and Simon Vermeulen said the committee continued to have their full support and that they would vote against Deputy Matthews’ amendment.

‘I will continue to support ESC. If we vote for this amendment, we will derail all the work already done and create chaos,’ said Deputy Dyke.

‘I think education is paramount and we need to get Les Ozouets built,’ said Deputy Vermeulen.

‘I’m genuinely excited by the plans which the States has agreed.

‘The builder [RG Falla] going into liquidation has not helped, but I think we should be getting spades out and breaking some ground.’