Questions about rising refuse costs
AT AN extremely lively and vociferous Parish meeting held last week, there was considerable anxiety about the cost of the refuse collection in St Peter Port for the 2016 Remede. The parish unanimously directed the Constables to write to the PSD minister, Scott Ogier, and the Policy Council expressing their very serious concern at the escalating costs of the gate fees.
There are many issues which have been raised before at various meetings and there is great unhappiness that the views of the parish have not been listened to, nor taken into account. At this late stage of the current States' term it is very worrying that details are still not available and not likely to be for some six to eight weeks, according to a member of the PSD Department who was present at the meeting.
With considerable reluctance the sum needed for the 2016 Remede was passed, with some against and some abstaining and with the proviso that increased charges next year were not acceptable.
The main issues are:
lack of any clear expectation of costs of the strategy as it affects the general public;
continuing increased charges made for tipping, which are apparently higher than any other small jurisdiction and this year are 10% above RPIX, suggested by PSD as a fairly modest increase in costs;
the reality of future kerbside collections charges for recyclables and when and how they are anticipated to be borne by parishioners;
the amount of recycling that has been achieved (% publicised includes green waste which skews the reality of the amount collected) has not reached the target;
the workshops held were considered by those attending to have had perceived outcomes, rather than taking account of expressed concerns hence the new initiative for parish waste groups to meet together;
exporting of residual waste through St Peter Port, when it is well known that there has to be improvement to harbour facilities at St Sampsons for fuel ships etc., which would be the more suitable solution, therefore, for exporting residual waste to Sweden, the preferred venue from 2018;
the continuing need for bring banks, particularly as there is at present no plan to collect glass or polystyrene;
the general feeling that the island should deal with its own waste.
Although there are only a few days before the General Election, the parish expects a response that will be shared with parishioners and, of course, the new States of Deliberation will have to take a strategy forward.
J. M. TASKER, (Mrs),
St Peter Port Constable.
