Some Fiscal Stimulus Projects Given More Time

Thursday, 27 January 2022 16:13

The Treasury Minister says 'quite a few' projects given fiscal stimulus funding have been given extensions to either March or June 2022.

£29.6 million is being given out for schemes to help the island recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

£50 million was allocated, but the remaining amount will not be used.

A progress update will be presented to States members before the end of next month.

The successful organisations had to prove that their projects had a realistic chance of being completed by the end of 2021.

Deputy Susie Pinel explains why they've been given more time.

"A lot of these projects were started and then because of the Omicron seizure were delayed because of a lack of employees to work on them.

Around three or four have been extended until the end of June and again that is due to a lack of supplies and contractors."

The money was allocated in two phases:

Phase One

Phase Two

Deputy Pinel told Scrutiny that there are three projects not even starting yet, with questions over whether they will still be granted the money.

The Jersey Opera House is one of them.

It was given £2.237 million to refurbish and maintain the centre.

"There was a huge delay in getting a project manager there and there are serious construction issues with the Opera House which are not anything to do with the plan they had for the fiscal stimulus money.

In the cases where they run out of time for completion of the project, we are working very hard with the team to find alternative funding measures for them."