MORE than half a million pounds was approved for spending on a new harbour office a Alderney's December states meeting.
States members voted seven to two to spend pounds 610,000 on demolishing the current office, which is sited next to Commercial Quay, putting in new piling and building a new two storey pitched roof building. More money will be required at a later date for fitting out the second floor.
Some states members called the plan 'extravagant'.
Outgoing General Services Committee chairman Bill Walden told members that the harbour office is was in 'a perilous state' suffering from vermin, cracks in the walls and ingress of water.
He said: 'I understand there is some criticism of the sum. This is not a house building it's a harbour office. There are mechanical and electrical items which make it expensive, temporary relocation costs and return of the office.'
Boyd Kelly put the spend in context with money spent on renovating Saye Campsite - which is now seeing a pounds 40,000 over spend. "But we're prepared to spend over two hundred thousand on wooden huts for the campsite which were used for a quarter of the year," he pointed out. " I'm supporting a motion to spend a little more than that but for a place that is essential and used year round. "
Ian tugby said he fully supported the building of a new harbour office, but objected to the scheme's 'grand design'. He claimed he had costed the creation of a two storey building with a fibreglass sloping roof and a 30ft by 40ft footprint at a total of 231,000 including fitting it out.
'We've got to save money to invest in the island in the future. The campsite was allowed to get out of control. That's a mistake which will not be allowed to happen again.'
John Beaman said he was in favour of spending money from the capital budget on a new harbour office as quickly as possible. But he added: "I'm not in favour of this particular building; it's over elaborate and over fancy.'
Pete Allen pointed out that his father had retired from the harbour office in1987, sure in the knowledge that the failing building would soon be replaced. We have the opportunity, we have the budget and we have to do it for the staff, and if we don't we will put people's lives at risk.
The motion was carried with Ian Tugby and John Beaman voting against.
States members also voted to grant Alderney Housing Association pounds 296,000 to build at the Grand Hotel site on the Butes. Stuart Trought was sworn in as States President.
The meeting was the last to be attended by retiring States members Bill Walden, Boyd Kelly, Geoffrey Sargent and John Beaman.
Members paid tribute in particular to Mr Beaman's 'fiscal prudence'. As chairman of the policy and finance committee he had left the capital and revenue budgets in good shape, members heard.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 