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At the Territorial Council meeting held on Thursday October 23, elected representatives approved the reconstruction of the Irénée de Bruyn hospital in Gustavia, as well as changes to the budget for 2025. Some lamented the fact that several projects had been stagnating for years.
This time, it's certain: the Irénée de Bruyn hospital will indeed be rebuilt on its current site in Gustavia. With a Maison de la Santé and housing. The Collectivité's elected representatives took the decision today, Thursday October 23, during a five-hour territorial council meeting which at times turned into a settling of personal scores.
Some of the councillors pointed out the extreme slowness of several projects, which are falling behind schedule. For example, the cultural center and the disability center. In the three years I've been elected, I've had the impression that I'm always signing the same thing," lamented Dimitri Lédée. The same issues come up year after year, and we continue to write blank checks to the council. "A position shared by Micheline Jacques: "This inertia leads to astronomical additional costs on the backs of taxpayers. We have to be careful about the way we manage the community. "
Calmer debates enabled other dossiers to be ratified, such as the Territorial Plan for Sustainable Agriculture (PTAD), the exemption from dock dues for associations recognized as being in the public interest, the management of the Marché de l'Ile-de-France and the management of the local market.public utility associations, the management of the Saint Barthélémy Market by the culture and communications department - rather than by the technical services - and two decisions concerning land.
Cost increases in the budget
"The Collectivité's revenues are very good, with a surplus of 13 million euros," enthuses Xavier Lédée, opening the first chapter of the session with a number of budget modifications. It is proposed that the elected representatives revise upwards the operating expenditure and revenue, calculated in March in the primitive budget, for an amount of 14 million euros. Investment income and expenditure are also to be increased by 98,900 euros.
One of the expense lines concerns sargassum. "An additional 350,000 euros will bring the cost of managing this to 7.5 million euros," notes Micheline Jacques. But in concrete terms, what does this correspond to? "We have been working on a study and project management project to install booms at sea and limit their arrival on land as much as possible," answers Rudi Laplace. A public tender will be launched soon. "The aim is to set up these booms within two years, according to the elected representative. The technical committee in charge of the project is also working on the possibility of evacuating the seaweed stored at Saint-Jean by barge. This process should also soon be put out to tender.
Two million euros put on hold for the disability center
The disability center, to be built on the current pound site in Saint-Jean, is not close to completion. Elected representatives have decided that the two million euros earmarked in the 2025 budget for the structure - comprising a medical-educational institute, a medical center and a medical center for the disabled - will be suspended. comprising an Institut médico-éducatif (IME) and a Maison d'accueil spécialisée (MAS) - have been suspended. This means that these costs will not be spent between now and the end of the year, but remain on stand-by. It's a great pity that the IME has been delayed yet again," says Micheline Jacques. I sincerely apologize to the families for not respecting them. "
Cécile Tessier points to another problem: "We absolutely must find a new specialist teacher. "She points out that the contract of the teacher currently working at the temporary IME in Anse-des-Cayes ends in December. "If we don't recruit someone soon, families will be forced to hand over their disabled children to schools that are not necessarily adapted..." sighs the chairwoman of the Social Affairs Committee. The chairman says he is in discussions with the education authority and the ARS. "I'm not giving up hope of getting things moving," says Xavier Lédée, who also explains that "as soon as the pound at Saline is open, we'll start work on soil decontamination at Saint-Jean. "
In the meantime, a temporary MAS could see the light of day. "The Irénée de Bruyn hospital has made a space available," informs the chairman. "We held discussions throughout September with the associations," adds Cécile Tessier. We hope this temporary MAS will open in March 2026. "
Unfortunately, the disability center isn't the only project to come to a standstill. Just look at the hole in the rock at Gustavia, which has remained gaping for months. Five million euros were earmarked to finance work on the Cultural Center this year. Their suspension was also decided during the council meeting. "Can we finish projects during our term of office and not in 15 years' time? Even though I already know I'll be an old man by the time some of them are finished," Dimitri Lédée says bitterly.
A faulty floor at the educational farm
The question on everyone's lips is: when will the Gouverneur educational farm, inaugurated with great fanfare on July 4, open? Late October-early November", assures president Xavier Lédée. However, 450,000 euros were added to the initial budget at the board meeting. In particular, to install a fire tank. But not only that. "The soft floor in the play area was damaged by recent bad weather, and needs to be replaced," says Fabrice Querrard. "Wasn't this floor guaranteed? "wonders Sylvère Gréaux. A confused silence. "No, we had no reservations when it was delivered," stammers the territorial digital advisor.
The president adds a clarification suggesting that this problem could have been anticipated: "The choice of flexible flooring was supposed to be innovative. It cost more. The company that installed it had warned that it might not be suitable for Saint Barth. "A few eyebrows are raised. "The Collectivité ignored it and it's already causing concern. "
An annoyed murmur runs through the assembly. Bettina Cointre asks when the floor can be changed. Fabrice Querrard reflects. "By the time the public contract is awarded again, I'd say in the first half of 2026. So," begins Bettina Cointre, in a calm, controlled tone that hints at her exasperation, "we had an inauguration in July, we're going to have a partial opening at the end of October/beginning of November, and finally a total opening in 2026? "Faced with this disappointing situation, no one said a word.
On October 29, Ferme des Iles announced on Facebook that it would open the next day, October 30, at 8am.
Regulating cab traffic
The elected representatives decided to regulate cab activity on the island. Councillors voted to make temporary licenses permanent. They also adopted a resolution to authorize three new licenses for heavy vehicles. For information, some 18,000 vehicles are currently in circulation on Saint Barth.
Reconstruction of the Irénée de Bruyn hospital in Gustavia confirmed
The political battle between elected representatives became fierce when it came to the reconstruction of the Irénée de Bruyn hospital. With a formidable weapon: the spoken word, which is cut off and monopolized to gain the upper hand over one's adversary. And they do this by striking low blow after low blow.
The option proposed to councillors is to agree in principle to the reconstruction of the establishment on its current site in Gustavia. The addition of a Maison de la Santé and housing is also planned. The Collectivité has proposed to commit 28.8 million euros to the project, which will cost 33.3 million. The remaining 4.7 million will come from the budget allocated to Saint-Barthélemy as part of the Ségur de la santé program.
But this scenario is divisive. There are those in favor. According to these elected representatives - members of Unis pour Saint Barth and Saint Barth d'Abord - the choice of Gustavia is logical because it is central. It will create a medical hub "to facilitate patient care. "The hospital will be able to continue operating during the works, even in a "degraded version". The question of land ownership - we still don't know who owns the land - poses no major problems. Neither do the disruptions on the roads caused by the construction trucks, or the noise pollution for the patients and residents of the EHPAD.
Micheline Jacques insists: "This project has to go ahead. Whether the State or the Collectivité owns the land, the aim will be the same: to provide better conditions for healthcare. "If the work doesn't start in 2026, we'll lose the Ségur de la santé funds," adds independent elected official Francius Matignon.
And then there are those who are against. Action Équilibre, for the most part, regrets that the option of building in Saint-Jean was not explored further. Bettina Cointre reads out a statement on behalf of the group: "No study was carried out for the Saint-Jean site, which is larger and close to the barracks and airport. It has obvious territorial cohesion. Are we really going to subsidize a landlocked, cramped downtown site that may not be ours? "Mediation to settle the land issue is due to end in two months' time. I won't oppose the construction of a hospital anywhere, but that's not what we're talking about today," says Marie-Hélène Bernier. We're being asked to invest without knowing whether we own the property or not. "
Pascale Minarro calls for public consultation. "This consultation already took place in 2022, when voters voted for councillors who proposed rebuilding the hospital," retorts Xavier Lédée.
Eleven elected representatives voted for the Gustavia scenario, which was finally adopted. Eight were against.
A new childcare center and housing at Anse des Cayes
The creation of a Maison des assistantes maternelles (Mam), housing reserved for Collectivité agents and a building for EDF - to be used during work to renew the power plant - was adopted. This is one of the blank cheques I was talking about," comments Dimitri Lédée. The Grand Cul-de-sac Mam isn't even finished yet. "
Questions have been raised as to who will be the priority agents for the homes. "The Executive Council will determine this as and when required," says Xavier Lédée.
Bruno Magras reacts after the territorial council meeting of October 23
The former president of the Collectivité wishes to respond to certain remarks made by elected representatives during the territorial council meeting of October 23, concerning two projects launched during his term of office: the parking lot, now a cultural center, on Rue de la Paix in Gustavia, and the Maison de la Santé.
"Clarification for elected representatives
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having taken advantage of the weekend to listen to your debates at last Thursday's Territorial Council meeting, I can't help but react.
Indeed, having initiated the Rue de la Paix parking project, and having been quoted twice by the First Vice-President during the squabbles surrounding health issuesI thought it would be useful to clarify the comments made by some of you, who at best are blatantly ignorant of the issues at hand, and at worst demonstrate obvious intellectual dishonesty.
About the parking lot on Rue de la Paix:
This project was launched to make up for the lack of parking spaces in Gustavia and to meet the responsibilities of the Collectivité, which, by deciding to charge investors for parking spaces, must at least be able to provide some.
However, to make this project a reality, it was first necessary to purchase the land belonging to the State. Parcels AL 673 -674 -761 -762 were purchased on December 26, 2013. All that remained was to convince the owner of parcel AL 900, located at the corner of Rue de la Paix and Rue Lafayette, to sell this built-up property to the Collectivité. Negotiations were lengthy, and the deed was not signed until February 21, 2019.
In the meantime, the experience of Hurricane Irma had prompted us to speed up the process. Studies were launched for a 140-space parking lot, with a basement of sufficient height to house vehicles and security equipment, and on the first floor located on Rue de la Paix, I personally suggested the installation of removable suspended partitions to transform the space into safe shelters in the event of severe weather.
Finally, although the initial idea was to build a few apartments upstairs, it soon became clear that a multi-purpose hall - I admit, mistakenly called the "Salle de Spectacle" - was needed.We soon realized that it was essential to build a multi-purpose hall, both to host the various festivals and to accommodate future congresses, such as the dentists' congress held every year on the initiative of Doctor CHLOUS.
The earthworks permit was issued on October 28, 2021. Following the architects' competition, the building permit for the parking lot was issued on January 17, 2022. The overall cost of the project hovered around 22 million euros. A heavy investment, to be sure, but one that will pay for itself in the very long term. Indeed, if shopkeepers, who regularly complain about the lack of parking spaces for their customers, were to agree to rent parking spaces on a year-round basis for their employees their employees, and if a proposal were made to valets to rent them spaces from 7pm onwards, it is certain that, in the long term, there would be a return on investment. In fact, in all fast-growing regions, the construction of parking lots has become a profitable investment.
Stopping this project is not just a mistake, it's a regrettable political error.
The arguments put forward in an attempt to justify this decision don't hold water. They are as follows
1° The idea of moving the library out of a historic building and into a soulless space above a parking lot makes absolutely no sense. There are certainly less costly solutions if the aim is to provide access to the library for the elderly and disabled. What's more, if, according to some, the library has become too cramped, it would suffice, when the new school complex is built in Saint-Jean, to add one adapted to the reading needs of young students.
2° If work had continued, the crumbling of the upper wall and the risk of collapse would not have arisen, and the two levels of the parking lot would have been completed by now.
3° The building permit, granted on the opposite plot after the parking lot, had no impact on its western wall, since the project is separated by the Rue de la France, which is around four metres wide.
4° Finally, if the auditorium did not meet the expectations of certain elected officials, its interior redevelopment in no way justified halting the project.
Of course, as was to be expected, the decision to halt the project immediately generated a damaging cost overrun. To try and absolve ourselves by blaming the previous team only highlights our lack of seriousness.
Regarding the health center:
To respond to the insinuations of the First Vice-President and to make things clear:
It was at the request of Groupe INNOVIE/Biopole Antilles that the project we carried out at the corner of Rue de Schœlcher and Rue de Saint-Thomas was launched. With the help of their architects, everything had been designed to meet the standards imposed on medical analysis laboratories.
After an appraisal of the building's rental value by Ms Karine BISSON-LUTIN, an expert appointed by the Basse-Terre Court of Appeal, in an e-mail dated August 31, 2022, we offered to lease the 234 m2 first floor at €60/m2.
In an e-mail dated October 14, 2022, the company's Director informed us that the rental amount was not included in their operating forecast.
At a meeting on November 3, 2022, I informed the Chairman of BIOPOLE's decision, while expressing my regrets and fears about the future of the medical analysis laboratory.
On November 4 2022, I confirmed in writing our proposal to lease the building we were planning to build to the local authority. It seemed to me that if the creation of a health center was useful, the presence of a medical analysis laboratory on our island was even more so.
Clearly, the creation of a health center was so urgent that a few months later, the elected representatives decided to rent a 157 m2 facility in Saint-Jean, for the sum of €130 per square meter!
I've never discussed this political choice. However, with all due respect to Madame BERNIER, I've always had a very different conception of the management of public funds. I just wanted to make that clear.
That, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the clarification I wished to make, in the hope that it will have helped to put a little oil in your lamps.
Yours sincerely".
Bruno Magras
