Budget approved to improve access to Parish Hall

Parish officials have officially been given the green light to spend more than half a million pounds to upgrade Trinity Parish Hall.

At a parish meeting the plans were briefly discussed between the constable and about 20 islanders before the budget of up to £550,000 was approved.

Constable Philip Le Sueur said the building had not had work done on it for more than 20 years.

"Access to our building and the office end of the building for people with mobility issues was particularly difficult and as a public building we have a responsibility to provide safe, easy access for everybody. So that's been the driver behind this project," he said.

Reassurances were given by the constable that parishioners' rates would not need to go up - as they have enough money in reserves to complete the project and have plenty of money left over.

It will be the second time the parish has gone out to tender for plans as the original ones were more costly and did not include extra office space for an additional member of administration staff who had since joined the team.

Le Sueur said he had recently had to help an elderly parishioner who had stumbled in the entrance and fallen over.

He said: "If you've got difficulty lifting your feet, it isn't easy to move around this building safely."

As part of the plans, the counter will be set at two different levels so people in wheelchairs can access services safely and conveniently.

There will also be a hearing loop installed to help islanders who need to use one.

Kaye Nicholson, CEO of Liberate, the Channel Islands' equality and diversity charity said: "Accessibility of public spaces remains of vital importance in our Jersey, in order that all individuals can access spaces and venues in accordance with their human rights to participate in the cultural life and to exercise their civic rights, including voting, which many of our parish halls act as stations for."

The plans could start as early as the end of June and are expected to take about five months to complete.

Le Sueur said: "We'll need to work with the contractor and staff to keep the parish functioning while the work is carried out."

It is hoped the upgrades will future-proof the building.

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