The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
STATES OF JERSEY
r
ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN 2008 (P.93/2007): SEVENTH AMENDMENT (P.93/2007 AMD.(7)) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 14th September 2007 by the Council of Ministers
STATES GREFFE
COMMENTS
The Council of Ministers cannot accept the amendment.
The Liquid Waste Strategy that is being developed for the Island in the next 20 to 50 years is looking at all aspects of the Island's drainage system, as well as both current and future demands for the sewage treatment works.
The Liquid Waste Strategy will provide an analysis and, where direct comparisons exist, an evaluation of cost/performance of the Island's drainage system against the U.K. OFWAT regulators' figures. This comparison will provide a guide as to whether the Island has been obtaining best value from the old capital programme for foul sewer extensions over recent years.
As a consequence of economic growth and population growth, the Island must provide a modern and up-to-date drainage system that meets the highest of standards. In developing the Liquid Waste Strategy, one of the key components is population for the next 20+ years, as this figure is a critical component to determine the requirement for upgrading the existing drainage infrastructure, providing new drainage systems to new developments and ensuring the Island has adequate treatment capacity.
This analysis will then provide an investment plan for the Island and a key component will be foul sewer extensions. Whether this new plan is in-line with the 2004 – 2008 programme put forward by the previous Public Services Committee cannot be determined yet, and much will depend on the location of any new development required and the additional treatment capacity required for the sewage works.
All of these factors will have to be considered when the implementation plan and funding programme is being prepared and to accept the original 2004 – 2008 foul sewer extension programme might not be in the best interests of the Island.
What is clear is that some level of foul sewer extensions will be required, but where they are, when they will be required and how they will be funded is too early to determine.
For the above reasons, the Council cannot accept the amendment and would urge the Assembly not to support it on the basis that the original plan might not be the most appropriate use of limited resources, might not serve the best interests of the future Island community and could place an undue burden on resource allocation to meet both the old plan and future requirements.
The Council of Ministers therefore urges members to reject this amendment of the Deputy of St. Ouen during the debate.