Can't States afford to spend more at Maraitaine?
I LIVE within walking distance of the new Maraitaine and I notice that the States have purchased a field with the intention of building on it. Quite apart from the obvious – they can build on green land, but we can't – they aren't taking notice of the letter they've sent out, via the Guernsey Press, of clearing noxious weeds in the immediate area of the car park and through down the edge of the field bordering the road, of massive amounts of weeds. They've spent many millions on the new Maraitaine and then won't spend anything on keeping it tidy.
Don't they realise how awful it looks? There is ragwort there too.
When we go into the restaurant there are two waitresses, they're forced to virtually run around the room to get food, do the dishes, serve the food and take the money.
They do their best but there really should be more help.
If the States can afford to build these care homes, surely they can afford to staff them adequately and weed the gardens to make it look tidy.
M. TAYLOR,
Address withheld.
Editor's footnote: Steve Williams, chief executive, Guernsey Housing Association, responds: In response to this letter I would like to give some background to explain the situation.
The area of land referred to is being cleared up by Guernsey Housing Association's (GHA) contractor RG Falla, with weeds removed and the area grassed. It is the last part of the construction of the La Nouvelle Maraitaine extra care housing and the contractor was not clear on how far our land boundary went.
We thank the correspondent for highlighting this as we are keen to keep the area around our properties tidy and appealing.
With regard to the restaurant, the Committee for Health & Social Care, through the PEH catering staff, run this for the benefit of the residents and the wider public and have recently changed the staffing to make the operation of this service more cost effective.
The staffing and efficiency of the service in the restaurant is under review to ensure the cost and the service works as best possible for all concerned.
Finally, to clarify, the new accommodation is not a care home but individual flats for semi-independent living.
Extra care housing is for people able to live independently but receive support when needed, according to their own individual needs.
