THE St Helier No 1 hustings achieved the seemingly impossible last night. It attracted even fewer parishioners than the No 2 district meeting on Tuesday.

About 40 people turned up at the Town Hall, and the majority of those were friends, family and supporters of the seven candidates.

Those who did make an appearance heard the hopefuls answer questions on topics including where they live, their motivation for standing for election, and what they would do to help the less well off.

Candidates were also asked a question from Senator Paul Routier, who wanted them to propose one idea that would benefit the district and another that would benefit the Island.

But perhaps the most pertinent question of the meeting, which was chaired by Citizens Advice Bureau manager Francis Le Gresley, was what the candidates would do to regenerate St Helier No 1.

Jersey Democratic Alliance candidate Trevor Pitman (48) said that the Island needed a ‘complete political sea change’. The plans for the Waterfront would ‘rip the heart out of St Helier’, he said, and there needed to be housing and better facilities for young people.

Time4Change candidate Nick Le Cornu (50) said that he also believed that there needed to be change, but added that this would only happen if more St Helier residents voted. He said that Jersey would benefit from looking at how French towns such as Dinard had regenerated their quaysides.

Deputy Paul Le Claire said he had worked tirelessly for the district for many years and added that there needed to be better planning with regard to population. He said: ‘There is a great cry from the parishes who don’t want more building in the country. They are instead trying to cram it all into St Helier.’

Deputy Judy Martin voiced her support for the proposed town park, but said that she was strongly against the planned multi-storey car park at Ann Court. She said that plans to redevelop parts of the town might adversely affect the market and added that the ‘plans need to be re-thought before they destroy what we have’.

Chris Whitworth told parishioners that the Fort needed to be regenerated. He said: ‘We need to refurbish the swimming pool. After all, we currently have a swimming pool on the Waterfront which is costing millions to subsidise.’

Brian Beadle (58) disagreed, and said that the derelict swimming pool building should be demolished and replaced with a conference and leisure hotel facility.

He also rejected the idea that the Waterfront development would bring about the death of the town centre.
Former Channel 103 presenter Katy Ringsdore said: ‘We need to start looking forward more positively. Regeneration needs to be sustainable, and we need to encourage better quality developments for the future.’