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4.9 Connétable J.L.S. Gallichan of St. Mary of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the revenue resulting from green waste charges at La Collette:
Will the Minister provide details of the revenue resulting from the States decision to charge for the dumping of green waste at La Collette?
Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Savour (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
Since the introduction of the commercial green waste charge, the department has generated income amounting to £164,500 in 2012 and £127,800 as of 30 September 2013. The additional income raised has been used to fund the expansion of existing recycling projects and trialled new recycling initiatives.
- The Connétable of St. Mary :
Recently the Constables discussed the matter of the increase in fly-tipping that they have noticed around the Island, especially of green waste. I think it is reasonable to assume that some of that fly-tipping must be occurring on public land. Is the Minister for Transport and Technical Services aware of whether the revenue is being reduced or netted off because of a need to deal with an increase in fly-tipping of green waste?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am not aware of any great deal of fly-tipping. It is kept as low as possible. An average trade load coming in to the site would be approximately 2 tonnes. This is commercial. This would be produced typically from half a day's work and charged out at about £170. Considering the current waste charge regime in Jersey, the range of gate fees the U.K. and Guernsey, a local gate fee of £17 a tonne plus G.S.T. (Goods and Services Tax) was proposed. This would add approximately £34 to a typical customer's bill, which does not seem disproportionate. Currently, in the U.K., prices range from £6 to £45 a tonne, but we have not reduced the fees and we are keeping it as low as possible to avoid such risk as the Constable mentioned.
- Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier :
Given the Constable's concerns about the fly-tipping out in the country, would the Minister for Transport and Technical Services look at, as we discussed in the House, having at least 3 other places where green waste can be tipped? Out in the country or in each Parish and discuss this very urgently with the Constables.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am more than happy to take this up with the Constables but we did not particularly want a green waste charge in the first place. This was proposed in March 2011. I think it was P.25 by the former Deputy Le Claire. We do have 2 points at the moment. Obviously domestic waste at Bellozanne and commercial waste at La Collette, but I am more than happy to discuss this with the Constables.
- Connétable P.J. Rondel of St. John :
Given that we have fly-tipping that happens in our Parish from time to time, not only with the green waste but with also washing machines left on the side of the roads, and the approach taken by some of his staff when private individuals turn up at the gate with a white van or with a small pick-up lorry and are doing their own branchage for instance and they are told they have to go down to La Collette because it is a commercial vehicle, does he not think that a bit of discretion at certain times of the year needs to be taken and not charge a dumping fee for somebody who is using common sense, collecting his green waste and taking it down in one lot or whatever, or maybe including his neighbours, and waiving the fee?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I would agree in principle with the Constable but it is very difficult to police that. I am more than happy to have a talk with the officers in that respect. Fly-tipping generally, I agree wholeheartedly with the Constable, is a major problem on the Island that we need to eradicate.
- Connétable J.L.S. Gallichan of Trinity :
With the charge now for green waste, I think the problem is when there is a small amount of green waste, some of these contractors will tell the owner: "I have to take it down to La Collette. There is a charge." They will put that charge on their bill but unfortunately when it is a small amount, it is quite easy to go along to some farmer's field and just put it on the hedge and then drive away. They still get paid for doing it because the owner who has had the garden cut thinks: "Oh, well. That is part of my account." So it is a bit of a temptation. That is all I would say, nothing more. It is very difficult to ...
The Bailiff :
Your question, Connétable ? The Connétable of Trinity :
My question is, would it be that a certain tonnage would be charged but small loads would be free?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, that is something I am more than happy to take up with officers.
- The Connétable of St. Mary :
I am grateful to the Minister for his answers and for reminding the Assembly that the initiative to charge did not come from his department but from the floor. Would the Minister be receptive to a discussion as to whether overall the benefits of the States decision outweigh the problems that are resulting? Not simply in the country as Deputy Martin alluded to but fly-tipping across the Island including the urban Parishes. Would he be receptive to discussing this?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
More than happy to discuss that.