Seven ride out at St Brelade No 2

Newly-elected Connetable Mike Jackson chaired the hustings meeting at a packed Communicare and allowed each of the seven candidates for Deputy up to four minutes for their opening address and a further 90 seconds to respond to each question. The issues raised by Parishioners included the St Aubin's Harbour reclamation, possible solutions to the traffic problem, air transport links and Airport landing charges, the maintenance of the honorary system, payment for States Members and their political and personal responsibility for actions taken. And, of course, no hustings would be complete without the candidates being quizzed on their choice for Chief Minister. This, in turn, led to the suggestion that potential Chief Ministers should be subject to a Conservative style leadership debate, either on radio or TV. Over to you BBC Radio Jersey and Channel TV.

 

 

Deputy Julian Bernstein, one of the two sitting Deputies (both of whom are seeking re-election), recapped his Parish achievements over the past three years. These included his work on the Problem Solving Policing Group, to combat petty crime and vandalism, and his involvement in various youth initiatives, such as the Youthbus programme on Friday and Saturday nights and the provision of a BMX track. He also referred to his chairmanship of the St Brelade Twinning Association (with Granville) and his desire, if re-elected, to join the Management Committee of Maison St Brelade, with a view to improving facilities for its residents. He was also mindful of Islandwide issues such as GST and exemptions, St Helier Waterfront, tourism and agriculture.

 

Sean Power (Sean Seamus Patrick Augustine Dooley-Power to give him his full  name), a St Brelade resident of over 20 years standing, referred to involvement in two high profile Islandwide campaigns. In 2003, he led the Save Emeraude campaign and, more recently, had lobbied for increased trade with France. He now had political support for the commencement of a daily freight service to Cherbourg and, in the very near future, hoped to confirm the setting up of a new (French) supermarket in the Island. His immediate Parish priorities were the upgrading  of Maison St Brelade and the extension of its services and expertise to single Parishioners living at home, delinquency among the young, traffic reduction and the provision of additional bus shelters on main routes. He was also against GST and an open seas policy, as he felt it could prejudice the survival of existing operators.

 

Jeff Hathaway had been a resident of St Brelade No 2 District for 27 years and a member of the St Brelade Honorary Police for the past 15 years. He was currently a Vingtenier for La Moye. This work had brought him into regular contact with parishioners and he had learned about their concerns, many of which he shared. "I have been involved, week in, week out, for the last 15 years not just during the election campaign," he said. His other contribution to the Parish had been through his work on the Les Creux working party and he was in favour of the proposed St Aubin reclamation (Battrick) scheme and the alternating of of Parish Assemblies between the Parish Hall and Communicare but remained "cautious" on GST. Mr Hathaway was also concerned at the overdevelopment of St Brelade but was supportive of Senator-elect Cohen's proposed shared equity scheme.

 

Former Deputy Tom Jordan had represented St Brelade No 2 from 1987 to 1993 and, if elected, would continue to put parishioners' problems at the top of his priorities. During his time as Deputy he had contributed to the development of Les Creux Country Park and Les Quennevais swimming pool and sports centre. However, he was critical of the "petty squabbling and back biting" which now "bogged down" the machinery of government and of the application of the Regulation of Undertakings and Development Law which, by limiting the numbers employed by companies, had reduced traditional training routes for young people. He wanted to see special dispensations given to employers providing apprenticeships and training opportunities while his gut instinct in respect of GST was that "it may be equal but it is not fair" as it would have a greater impact on those on low incomes. He promised to work towards "a fairer future for all".

 

Steve Pallett, a recent candidate for St Brelade Connetable, said he recognised the importance of the finance industry which was vital to the Island's continued prosperity. However, he said there were many issues that warranted concern, such as the development of St Helier Waterfront, which was a strategic site and key to the revitalisation of the Town. He favoured "in scale" development on this site. Mr Pallett would also seek to diversify the economy and would help boost tourism by reducing landing fees to encourage low cost airlines and cheaper flights. He also recognised the importance of event-led tourism and supported more investment in youth training and apprenticeships, a reduction in 'red tape' and a tighter rein on States spending. He backed Sentor-elect Cohen's call for a States audit office and wanted to see more done for the young and old in both the Parish and the Island. If elected, he would wish to work with the scrutiny panels as he saw their role as vital in guaranteeing open and accountable government.

 

Deputy Peter Troy applauded the electors of the district for turning out in such large numbers (estimates ranged from 180 to well over 200). Having recapped on his work in the States, both at Committee level and as an independent member, he also referred to his successes within the Parish. These included addressing traffic and parking problems and, as Chairman of St. Brelade Youth Club, securing the release of funding to provide proper staff supervision for young people attending the youth club. He supported the provision of new en-suite facilities at Maison St. Brelade residential home, where he was a member of the management committee, and initiatives to reduce disruptive and anti-social behaviour. He was pro-GST but had consistently opposed 20 means 20 and believed it should scrapped. If elected, he would be prepared to serve in ministerial government and would be seeking the chairmanship of Privileges & Procedures.

 

Jane Wakeham reminded electors that she had narrowly lost out in the previous election for Deputy three years ago but stood before them feeling "as passionately about the Parish as I was then". It was her belief that some of the issues currently troubling Parishioners were unchanged from three years ago. As Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, which ran classes at Communicare, she spent a considerable time with young people but, nevertheless, had made an effort to get and out and about the Parish to talk to some of the disaffected youth. She felt that, if the problems of youth crime and anti-social behaviour were to be addressed, they needed to be consulted. She also expressed concern about the impact of 20 means 20 on middle income earners and stressed that the Waterfront had to be developed for the benefit of the public, not the developers.

 

 

The first question touched on the proposed Battrick reclamation scheme at St Aubin's Harbour as, with Jersey Harbours planning to demolish part of the harbour wall, it was suggested it would be a timely opportunity for the reclamation to proceed in parallel. Candidates were also asked for their views on the incorporation of a small marina in the overall scheme. Sean Power was cautiously in favour of the reclamation scheme (and the creation of a small marina) but wanted to know the likely costs. He questioned whether ratepayers would be happy to stump up for a £2-£3 million scheme. He also wondered whether it would take away the ambience of the current harbour village. Jeff Hathaway had long been in favour of the reclamation proposals and was opposed to further procrastination. However, he believed that no building development should be allowed as the reclaimed land was required to help alleviate parking and traffic problems in the area. Tom Jordan agreed that a decision on the way forward was long overdue. He also supported the proposed scheme as long as suitable consideration was given to the visual impact of any work on the picturesque nature of the existing area. Steve Pallett felt that a "needs survey" should be undertaken to identify the parking requirements for the St. Aubin's Harbour area but stressed that any proposals had to have the agreement of residents and all Parish political representatives. In view of the current parking problems, he questioned why a new 300 seat restaurant had been permitted on the site of the former Battrick's boat yard. Deputies Peter Troy and Julian Bernstein were also in favour of reclamation but agreed with Mr Pallett that it should only go ahead if local residents were supportive of such an initiative. Deputy Troy also echoed Mr Power's call for an "official costing". Jane Wakeham confirmed her support for the reclamation project, and for the development of a small marina (as had Deputy Bernstein) but, in her introductory speech, had advised that needs had to be ascertained before any land was reclaimed.

 

In addition to the issues previously highlighted, the seven candidates were also asked for their views on car sharing (to help reduce traffic congestion), possible solutions to problems of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, a suitable location for a skateboard park in the Parish (and whether they would support the provision of such a facility) and the provision of respite care. They were also asked whether they would still stand if States Members were not paid. Finally, on the question of who they would vote for as Chief Minister, most of the seven replied that they would to like to know what policies the two (or more) candidates would be putting forward, what they had to say and who their proposed cabinet would comprise. "They need the same opportunity as you (have given us)," said Jeff Hathaway, "to be heard before votes are cast". As things currently stood, Deputy Troy admitted that, in his mind, Senator Walker had a slight advantage over Senator Syvret. This was also the case with Sean Power as, although he didn't really know either man, he had found Senator Walker to be a better communicator in his dealings with States Members over Emeraude and links to France. Jane Wakeham alluded to the diifficulties faced by non-States Members in assessing each potential candidate's suitablity and was the one who suggested that a radio or TV debate would help inform both the public and their fellow States Members. Deputy Bernstein maintained that he would continue to support Senator Syvret, as would Steve Pallett, while Jeff Hathaway reserved his position, for the above reasons, as did Tom Jordan, who warned that personalities should not be allowed to obscur such an important issue. However, he would make his intentions known once he had made up his mind (or cast his vote).