Scrutiny hears liquid waste challenges pose real ‘economic risk’ to Jersey
29 June 2023
Yesterday, the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel ('the Panel') held two Public Review Hearings with the Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Ian Gorst, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Tom Binet, on the Bridging Liquid Waste Strategy 2023-26 ('the strategy'). The review is being undertaken to assess how the strategy plans to address known issues with ageing and capacity of the Island's current sewerage and drainage network.
The Minister for Infrastructure was confident that despite 'historic underfunding' of the sewerage networks, the growth bids for funding recently submitted to the Minister for Treasury and Resources will be accepted. The Minister for Treasury and Resources said he does indeed consider insufficient access to the sewerage network for proposed housing developments and the impact on the cost and supply of housing in Jersey as an "economic risk" to the Island.
In terms of funding mechanisms, Deputy Gorst explained that work on the sewerage system would not fall under the current terms of reference of the Climate Emergency Fund. Following this line of questioning, the Panel asked the Minister for Infrastructure about the possibility of household charges for waste and water. The Minister said that the urgency of the situation is such that there wouldn't be enough time to implement this, but that charges may be introduced in the future to reflect the "undercharge" that has been in place for a long time. The Panel heard that the Minister has not ruled out the option of incorporation of Jersey Water in the longer term, but that this option still needs to be seriously considered and will not feature in immediate plans.
The Panel questioned both Ministers on why the States Assembly was not better informed on the state and capacity of the sewerage networks to accommodate new developments at the time of the Bridging Island Plan 2022-25 approval last year, where green land was rezoned for developments which now cannot be completed until sewerage network capacity is expanded. The Minister for Treasury and Resources told the Panel issues were flagged in the last Government Plan process last year, but that more clarity was needed on what the solutions were for growth bids to be properly considered. The Minister for Infrastructure said that now, however, the Council of Ministers has a "full understanding of the issue". Both Ministers assured the Panel that liquid waste management will be a key area of focus for the next iteration of the Government Plan funding approval process which is due to be lodged in the States in September 2023.
The Panel expressed concern that the strategy takes more of an 'asset management' approach than a 'strategic' approach to address the long-term concerns that population growth, climate change and an ageing network will have on the Island's ability to manage liquid waste. The Minister for Infrastructure reasoned that the Infrastructure and Environment Department does have a long-term vision, but that the strategy covers a four-year funding period (2024-27) due to the limitations of the political term.
Deputy Steve Luce, Chair of the Panel, said: 'We thank the Minister and his Officers for their answers to our questions. Although the Panel is pleased to hear that liquid waste management is now recognised by the Council of Ministers as an important issue to the future of our Island, including the impact this will have on the much-needed supply of affordable housing developments, we are concerned that the current plans lack a more strategic approach. The next steps for our review will be to further explore these gaps with the help of our expert advisors Indepen UK and, if necessary, look to have a further evidence-gathering session with the Minister for Infrastructure at a later date."
