May 06 - “Less Money On Ministerial Luxury And More On Our Schools” - Says GSD
The GSD says it notes that the works to the extension of No 6 Convent Place are nearly complete. The party argues that, “quite apart from the fact that this huge extension is not in keeping with Georgian buildings in Town Range of significant heritage value, it is highly questionable whether the Government needed to spend millions of pounds on a luxurious extension to the offices of the Chief Minister when there are a number of schools which need refurbishment.” Amongst these, the GSD highlights Bishop Fitzgerald, Governor’s Meadow and Bayside School.
Edwin Reyes said: “The Chief Minister, Mr Picardo, was very critical of the far more modest refurbishment to No. 6 Convent Place when Sir Peter was Chief Minister and, indeed, was very critical of the expenditure when he told us the GSD was addicted to debt. Now it appears that money is no object and there is no addiction to debt by the present Government despite public debt being over three times higher. More importantly, from my point of view, whilst Mr Picardo works in his comfortable surroundings of newly refurbished offices at a cost of more than £5 million, he should spare a thought for the students and staff of some of our run down schools. It is a question of priorities. Our priority for the next election will be to target expenditure into improvement of our schools not luxury for our Ministers.”
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