Deputy Rob Ward has lodged an amendment to the Council of Ministers’ Common Strategic Policy calling for ‘purpose-built youth facilities’ to be constructed in the north of the parish.
Last month, the Council of Ministers unveiled five key priorities which will underpin government policy for the four-year term.
And Deputy Ward believes that ensuring youth facilities are in place would be in line with several of those core aims. He argued that there was a ‘chronic lack’ of facilities in the north of town which was only going to become more necessary as housing developments on the Millennium Town Park and Anne Court were constructed.
He said: ‘For many years, St Helier has faced the brunt of housing developments. The current plans for new housing on the Millennium Park and Anne Court sites have highlighted the desperate need to accompany new housing developments with appropriate facilities for the young people living in the area under development.’
One of the ministers’ key priorities is putting children first – which Deputy Ward said would be demonstrated by approving his amendment as it would reap long-term benefits for young people in the area.
The Deputy pointed out that St Helier is the only parish which does not have a dedicated youth centre as the St James’ Centre is an Islandwide facility.
He added: ‘This amendment draws from the common goals of the Strategic Plan of making St Helier a more desirable place to live, work, do business and visit.
‘It addresses the strategic priority of protecting and valuing our environment in the widest sense – providing purpose-built facilities for young people to access and improve their living environment.
‘This amendment addresses the key priority of putting children first with a tangible commitment to addressing the chronic lack of facilities for young people in the north of St Helier. It gives the opportunity to create a real facility that demonstrates the pledge for children in action.’
The cost of building the centre is estimated to be in the region of £3 to £5 million.
The proposals are due to be debated as part of the debate on the CSP on Tuesday 4 December.
