Alvin's Vision for St. Helier

This page was set up to show Alvin Aaron's views on the future of St. Helier.  This is still relevant, even now, after the election.  His views are as follows:

Safer Streets - The Police appear to merely respond to problems rather than be a strong presence seen “on the beat” in St. Helier. I believe that more police officers, both uniformed and honorary, out and about in the town will act as a strong deterrent to anti-social behaviour on our streets. I will press for the return of community policing. Our honorary force is at half strength; only 25 out of 50 plus. I shall seek to obtain co-operation with other parishes to allow their officers to patrol in town. The whole island comes to St Helier for the night life, why don’t their honorary officers come too?

Cleaner Streets – There is no doubt that St Helier’s streets are dirtier than they were 8 years ago; pavements are uneven and verges more unkempt, too. The Constable’s answer to messy, overflowing euro-bins seems to be to take them away, when the answer is more, with better screening. It is one thing to cut the rates, but not at the expense of basic standards. I shall introduce better, and more efficient and effective street cleaning in co-operation with TTS. Business owners should be responsible for their own frontages, clearing up cigarette butts etc. and discouraging their customers from throwing down litter, bottles and cans.

Overdevelopment – For years, the solution to all our population and housing problems has been to build in St Helier (and the other urban parishes). Now even higher population is predicted, with higher rise and higher density development in St Helier. The town is to be sacrificed to save green fields in the country. I say it is time to save and expand our green space. I will protect the town from rampant development.

Town Park – Too many words, and not enough action! Ten years down the line, and there is still no funding in place for the Millennium Town Park. I will bring a proposition to provide funding of £10m from the interest on the “Rainy Day Fund”. This will revive and enhance the most densely populated quarter of St Helier, to balance the rush to the waterfront. I will also examine the possible provision of similar funding for Fort Regent, which could again be a centre of sporting and leisure excellence.

Local Business – there is no doubt that the very existence of small, local businesses is under threat. Zero-ten taxation rules favour global competitors, and GST is an unnecessary burden. I will continue the fight to end GST, and support exemptions for food and other essentials. I will not change my mind.

Local businesses are also under threat from the massive development of the Waterfront Esplanade site. It will rip the heart out of the town and especially the market. Do we need 14 extra large office blocks, and the 4 years of traffic chaos that goes with it? I think we do not. Access to the waterfront could be by pedestrian underpasses rather than lowering the road. Again, I shall defend the interests of all St Helier residents. 

The Elderly – As we all live longer, the need to make provision for our old age becomes more vital. I will support Senator Syvret’s proposal for a Social Insurance scheme (like that in Guernsey) to pay for residential care. I will make this a priority. In addition, I will examine ways to help with the burden of rates on the elderly. All too often, pensioners end up “asset-rich, but income poor” when a £400 rates bill becomes a serious problem. Income Support is not an answer; if it takes 26 pages of questions, it cannot be right. I will fight these bureaucrats! Where help is needed, it should be given.

Young people – the young people of the island are our greatest resource. We must invest in them. That means extra spending, not only in education but in the youth service.

Traffic that flows and parking that poses no problems.  Disc parking needs to come back in the streets, longer parking should be allowed and users of the towns car parks should pay as they leave which is more convenient and also ensures that more revenue is collected. It is ridiculous for people to have to guess at how long they are going to park their car in a car park!  At the moment vehicles are driving around the town looking for parking spaces which is causing pollution.  Use of public transport needs encouraging with a low cost town bus service. There should also be cover for people waiting at the taxi ranks. Roadworks that are planned and not an emergency should only take place in the winter months as used to happen.

A town that is alive, vibrant and a pleasure to visit as well as in which to reside. The town should be a safe, clean place to walk around.  Atmosphere continues to be needed with more al fresco eating and drinking, street entertainment, floral displays and a greater variety of small shops. 

“If it matters to you, it matters to me”