Waste charge set at £2.50 per black bag
BLACK bags will cost £2.50 each to dispose of, with all households also having to pay a standing charge of £85.
The decision was taken yesterday in the States, with 30 members out of the 37 present voting for the cheapest option proposed.
Deputies also decided to use up to £32m. from the capital reserve, rather than the bond, to cover the cost of new waste management facilities and services which are needed as a result of the decision to export black bag waste.
States’ Trading Supervisory Board president Charles Parkinson and Environment & Infrastructure president Deputy Barry Brehaut both voted against the money coming from the capital reserve, but that went through 22 to 15.
Deputy Parkinson said he was OK with the charging level chosen, but said he would have preferred the money to have come from the bond.
‘But this was the decision of the States,’ he said.
‘I don’t know if this will affect other capital investments going forward. It’s possible. It will deplete the capital reserve, which means there is less money for large projects like building schools.’
Deputy Brehaut said : ‘I’m pleased we have an outcome. What is good is that we have certainty over the process.’
He said he felt the black bags had been priced at an affordable level and noted that Employment & Social Security had plans in place to help those who might struggle.
Fears that the charges would lead to fly-tipping dominated many of the speeches during yesterday’s debate.
Deputy Brehaut echoed what several deputies said, warning that talking about fly-tipping so much in the chamber would lead to it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
A recorded vote was taken on another option – which would have seen a bag charge of £3.20 and a standing charge of £45. But that was defeated 23 votes to 14.
There will also be a parish collection charge, which will still be levied by douzaines.
Keen environmentalist Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said she was keen to see higher bag charges and a lower standing charge, which would focus islanders’ minds on cutting waste.
While a low bag charge was set, she said that it would still have an impact on how much rubbish was disposed of.
‘Even a small charge can be very effective,’ she said.
‘A big part of it is raising awareness. Look at the 5p carrier bag charge.’
