Call For Sports Centres To Accept Cash

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 08:13

Jersey's former Sports Minister is calling on the government to allow visitors to its sports facilities to pay by cash.

Deputy Lucy Stephenson says steps were being taken by the previous administration to address how a cashless policy excludes some people from accessing services.

She says an example on social media last December highlighted how vulnerable people are affected by the 'cashless' policy at Les Quennevais sports centre. She is urging the new Council of Ministers to find an urgent solution.

Deputy Stephenson's proposition to the States says some islanders can't open bank accounts, or have legitimate reasons - such as domestic abuse - for not wanting to leave a digital trail of their movements.

"Government needs to take a pragmatic, but compassionate approach to this issue. This proposition acknowledges that such cases have not been reported in high numbers and that in the increasingly digital world the vast majority of people have no problem with paying by card or on their phones. There are, however, still those in our community who need or want to use cash.

Public sports facilities should have accessibility at the heart of their business model, particularly for sectors of the community who may otherwise feel marginalised or excluded from using the private sector whether because of cost or other reasons"

She's formally asking the Infrastructure Minister, Constable Andy Jehan, to reintroduce cash payments at government-run sport facilities and for a review of similar restrictions across all States departments by June.