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3.2 The Deputy of St. John of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding energy wastage in the Island's schools:
The Deputy of St. John :
Would the Minister advise what action, if any, is being taken to alleviate energy wastage in the Island's non-fee paying schools, particularly at Trinity School; and given that he is also responsible for the States fee-paying schools, would he explain why Victoria College has floodlighting from dusk to dawn?
Deputy J.G. Reed of St. Ouen (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture):
Following a States decision, Jersey Property Holdings has now assumed responsibility for all property including schools. This department employs a small number of maintenance officers, each of whom is allocated several schools to which they provide support and advice on maintenance and heating matters. In addition to this service, Property Holdings has recently recruited an Energy Manager whose role includes advising States departments on energy use. As far as all schools are concerned, energy costs represent a significant element of their budget and it is therefore in everyone's best interests to ensure that heating and all other energy costs are minimised, including Trinity School. Regardless of whether the schools are fee- paying or non fee-paying, the department actively encourages the schools to be mindful of their energy use. I am assured by the head teacher of Victoria College that the College does just that. The floodlighting is operated by the College because it has proven to be effective as a security measure and it is felt appropriate to illuminate this prominent and historic building. The lighting around the school, including the floodlights, uses low energy bulbs and I am informed that the school monitors its overall use very closely. In terms of the total energy bill, the cost of floodlighting is relatively minor.
- The Deputy of St. John :
I hope the Minister can give us the cost of floodlighting Victoria College School if it is only minor. But, given its use for security, I would have thought down-lighting instead of up-lighting would have been far more effective. I believe that the Minister should be reviewing all his departments as to waste in energy and I hear what he has
already said, but I hope he can give us an assurance this morning that he will be writing to all his heads of departments to make sure this is happening, given I have forwarded him certain correspondence several weeks ago to the effect that there was waste in Trinity School on which, hopefully, I can have a meeting with the head teacher and others in due course to try and see if we can alleviate some of these problems. So if I can have an assurance from the Minister that he will write to all heads, it would be appreciated.
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
I think I have already said that the department absolutely supports best use of energy and as such we are and will actively engage with the schools and other individuals to ensure that this is the case. With regards to the cost of floodlighting, I am unable to provide that cost to the Deputy , however, I am well aware and have had correspondence with the schools who are indeed willing to meet with the Deputy to discuss his specific concerns in more detail.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Would the Minister confirm that he does not agree with the principle of floodlighting buildings, but with the principle of floodlighting relevant open spaces as a security measure? Secondly, has he tied-in his interest in lighting costs to heating costs? Is there monitoring going on and can he give us a percentage savings being made at present?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
The general issue of floodlighting is one that is a concern of all and I do not have a view in particular of whether we should use it in one area or another. Could the Deputy remind me of the second part of his question?
The Deputy Bailiff :
The second part went on to heating, but I think that is rather off the point. Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Well, it is related to energy usage, energy usage is the common theme.