Unions welcome new Ozouets plans – but do have some concerns

The £88m. funding plan put forward by new Policy & Resources Committee president Lyndon Trott would allow construction to start in August and the new facility to open early in 2027.

The National Education Union, which represents teachers, backed Deputy Trott’s amendment as a constructive way forward after its disappointment at the States’ decision late last year to de-fund a larger and more expensive scheme.

‘We hope the island’s deputies now vote to support this amendment in the debate this week to enable work to start at Les Ozouets,’ said NEU local representative Paul Montague.

‘We believe that it would be sensible for the States to choose option one in the amendment, which includes the foundation works for a sixth form centre as part of phase one at Les Ozouets at a cost of £1m.’

The University and College Union, which represents staff at the former College of Further Education, now part of The Guernsey Institute, pointed to a recent inspection report which rated the College ‘good’ in every category but criticised its accommodation.

‘Ofsted noted that some students’ teaching and learning experiences are restricted due to ageing and poor quality accommodation.

Their report once again highlighted the dire state of the College’s buildings and estate,’ said branch chair Dan Hunter.

‘The UCU welcomes any forward momentum to address the current College of FE and post-16 infrastructure.

‘We look forward, together with the rest of the teaching unions, to working with P&R, Education and the States finally to deliver an exceptional environment for post-16 studies.’

But both unions were disappointed by facilities excluded from Deputy Trott’s revised plan.

The NEU said it ‘regretted further delay’ to Education’s plans for sixth form studies, which now look set to be relocated to La Mare de Carteret until at least 2029, but it recognised the ‘vital importance’ of building new facilities for the Guernsey Institute as soon as possible.

The UCU was unhappy at the omission of indoor and outdoor sports facilities in the scaled-down plan for Les Ozouets.

‘We are concerned about any proposed modifications to the plan, specifically the impact of these changes on the quality of teaching and learning and subject and enrichment provision,’ said Mr Hunter.

‘We seek confirmation from the States that the necessary due diligence, gathering of requirements and impact analysis will be completed before any modifications are introduced and that proper project management processes will be followed.’

Deputy Trott’s amendment, which will be debated at the States meeting which starts today, proposes funding the scaled down plan through States reserves and borrowing up to £55m., which would break the long-standing policy of accumulating debt only for projects with an associated income stream.

‘We understand the concerns the public has about borrowing for projects such as this, but we would argue that investing in education is investing in our future,’ said Mr Montague.