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Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 7 February 2008

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Environment Scrutiny Panel

PUBLIC MEETING Record of Meeting

These minutes are Part A of a two part Agenda. Part B of the meeting was held in Private Session under Exemption 3.2.1(a)(xiv) of the Code of Practice on Public Access to Official Information

Date: 7th February 2008 Meeting Number: 71a

Present

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (Chairman) (RD) Connétable K. A. Le Brun of St Mary (KB) Deputy C. Scott Warr en (CSW)

Apologies

Deputy P. V. F. Le Claire (PLC)

Absent

Connétable A. S. Crowcroft (SC)

In attendance

Mr M. Robbins, Scrutiny Officer Mr C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes.

The Panel approved its Minutes of both part A and part B of the meeting of 28th January 2008.

RD. KLB. CSW.

 

2.

Item  1 15/01/08

Item  3a 28/01/08

Item  3d 28/01/08

Matters arising.

The Panel noted that the letters to the Minister for Planning and  Environment  and  the  Minister  for  Transport  and Technical  Services  regarding  the  Waterfront  had  not  yet been sent.

The  Panel  noted  that  Direct  Input  would  be  contacted following confirmation of exhibition details.

The  Panel  noted  that  further  discussion  regarding  e-mail correspondence  received  from  Mr.  Ellison  would  be conducted under Item 6e of their agenda.

The Panel noted that Channel 103 had informed the Scrutiny Office that they had spare capacity to assist the Panel as a result of the decision to put back the campaign to coincide with the March exhibition.

MR MR

 

The Panel received and noted e-mail correspondence from a member of the public.

RD. KLB. CSW.

 

3.

Confidentiality Agreement for Business Plan Process

The Panel noted the confidentiality agreement and agreed that the Chairman should sign the document on behalf of the Panel.   The  Panel  subsequently  received  copies  of  the Annual  Business  Plan  documentation  provided  by  the Treasury & Resources Department.

The Panel noted the documentation distributed and agreed to consider them in detail at a future meeting.

RD. KLB. CSW.

MR

4.

Mont Orgueil Castle

The Panel considered e-mail correspondence received from a member of the public regarding a planning application from the Jersey Heritage Trust in respect of Mont Orgueil Castle. It was noted that the Minister for Planning & Environment was the ultimate arbiter in such cases. The Panel discussed whether a resolution was likely be reached and, noting that individual cases could not be discussed, agreed to question the Minister for Planning & Environment on the generalities of decisions relating to Jersey Heritage sites.

RD. KLB. CSW.

RD

5.

Future Meetings.

The Panel considered the additional meetings scheduled for 11th February 2008. It was agreed to invite the Minister and Assistant Minister for Transport & Technical Services and the Assistant  Minister  for  Housing  as  one  of  the  St/  Helier Deputies to attend upon the Panel at 2:30pm to consider composting and to stipulate that no Departmental Officers attend as the meeting would be at a political level only.

The Panel further discussed forthcoming meeting dates and agreed that the dates in question should be confirmed to them as soon as possible.

The Panel noted that the next meeting was scheduled to be at 9:30am on the 21st February in the Le Capelin Room, States Building.

RD. KLB. CSW.

MR

MR

6.

Current Reviews Waste Plant Review

 

 

  1. To receive a Waste Review Update dated 4th February 2008

The Panel received a paper updating them on progress with the Review. The Panel noted that the Chairman and Deputy  Le  Claire  had  met  with  the  London  based company  First  National  Power  who  work  with  existing technology and had the capability to deal with residual waste.   The  Panel  were  further  informed  that  First National Power had agreed to participate in the March Exhibition.

The  Chairman  advised  the  Panel  that  he  would  be meeting  with  selected   Connétable s  the  week commencing 10th February to discuss the outcomes of the meeting with First National Power.

The  Panel  received  notes  from  a  meeting  between Juniper  and  the  Transport  and  Technical  Services Department.   The  Panel  further  received  an  invoice (number 020808 dated 6th February) from Juniper relating to work recently undertaken upon the Panel's behalf. The Panel noted the record of the meeting and agreed to pay the invoice. The Panel further agreed to distribute the Juniper presentation to all Panel members.

The Panel agreed that Juniper should be supplied with the OJEC Notice and the planning application documents submitted  by  the  Transport  and  Technical  Services Department.

  1. March  Exhibition  including  quote  from  Direct  Input Public Relations Advisers

The Panel were informed that no quote had yet been received from Direct Input Public Relations Advisers.

The Panel noted that the presentations for the Exhibition needed to be  completed.  The Panel  agreed  that the presentations should minimise the audience's exposure to  the  technological  aspects  of  the  review  in  order  to ensure  the  underlying  issues  were  properly communicated. The Panel discussed the need for figures demonstrating the amount of electricity produced and the methods of dealing with residual waste.

It  was  agreed  to  contact  the  participating companies/groups to confirm their attendance. It was further  agreed  to  request  publicity  material  from  any companies/groups that were unable to attend for display at the event.

MR MR

MR

MR MR

 

c)  11:00am to receive Mr. D. Monier of Romi Recyclage'

The  Panel  discussed  the  imminent  meeting  with  Mr. Monier of Romi Recyclage'. Correspondence detailing the arranging of the meeting was distributed to the Panel and it was confirmed that the Panel had not paid for his visit.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Monier and apologised for the  absence  of   Connétable   Crowcroft  and   Deputy  Le Claire. Mr. Monier was informed that a visit had been arranged to the St. Helier Parish works at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Chairman informed Mr. Monier that whilst the Panel had  no  authority  to  make  any  waste  re-cycling appointments the Panel were able to exert pressure on the relevant Department to try and bring about change to the Island's re-cycling policy.

Mr. Monier confirmed that a former Scrutiny Panel had visited his firm approximately two years previously. It was further confirmed that a quote had been produced for processing  3,000  tonnes  of  cardboard  at  his  French facilities. The Panel received a copy of the quote.

The Chairman informed Mr. Monier of a letter to the Panel from the Department of Planning & Environment detailing a meeting in France with Romi Recyclage'. Mr. Monier informed  the  Panel  that  no  such  meeting  took  place, restated  that  the  last  meeting  was  in  June  2005  and further  stated  that  the  most  recent  contact  with  the Department  was  in  a  telephone  conversation approximately 3 months ago.

Mr.  Monier  was  informed  that  Jersey  raised approximately 15,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard and was  currently  recycling  approximately  50%  of  it.   The Panel  was  informed  that  Romi  Recyclage'  currently shipped  their  paper  and  cardboard  to  China  for processing. Mr. Monier confirmed that his firm would be able to deal with all of Jersey's cardboard and agreed to confirm such by letter. The Panel noted that whilst the capacity to deal with all the paper and cardboard waste was not an issue the price received for a greater capacity would not necessarily be greater as the margins on such a product were small.

Mr.  Monier  confirmed  that  his  company  dealt  with batteries and both domestic and industrial plastic. It was further confirmed that the plastic would need to be sorted

 

 

either pre or post baling for shipping. It was explained that it was more cost effective to sort pre baling and the baling could be done with existing machinery in Jersey or with a purpose built press. This one press would be able to bale both domestic and industrial plastic.

The Panel confirmed that a magnet would be used to sort aluminium and other metal products. It was confirmed that most local metal for re-cycling was exported to Spain. Mr. Monier confirmed that he also shipped his metal to Spain. The  Panel  were  informed  that,  as  Romi Recyclage' were licensed to strip and shred cars, it would be possible to take complete vehicles from Jersey for processing  subject  to  de-pollution  being  carried  out  in Jersey under regulation.

Mr. Monier confirmed that he currently shredded 18,000 tonnes of rubber tyres per month in France and as such it would be possible to process any amount from Jersey. It was confirmed that a mobile shredder could be brought to Jersey periodically and that the tyres could be roughly shredded in preparation for shipping to France and the completion of the process.

The  Panel  noted  that  the  French  tax  applied  to  the dumping  of  waste  (TGAP)  was  currently  8  Euros  per tonnes. However the Government had announced that it would be raised to 40 Euros per tonnes in the future. It was further confirmed that a standard 40-60 Euros per tonnes handling charge was levied by the waste plants themselves.

The Panel was informed that the sorting of waste was now greatly mechanised and as such no longer required the human resources it once had.

Mr. Monier informed the Panel that Romi Recyclage' was able  to  deal  with  any  waste  except  hazardous  waste although should such a service be required he would be able to recommend a contact that would facilitate this.

The  Panel  were  informed  that  Romi  Recyclage'  had opened a shop that re-used or re-cycled computers and computer screens: approximately 50% were dismantled and 50% reused. It was further confirmed that 90% of television screens were recycled. Mr. Monier informed the Panel that the dismantling of screens had to be done to technical and safety requirements but that it would be possible to ship screens from Jersey for such dismantling.

The Panel discussed the will at political level to create and improve links between Jersey and France and noted

 

 

that HD Ferries had offered freight opportunities to Mr. Monier.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Monier for attending upon the Panel.

  1. To consider draft advertisement scripts from Channel 103

The Panel noted that no action had yet been taken on this issue and that the Scrutiny Office was awaiting input from Connétable Crowcroft before proceeding.

The  Panel  noted  that  the  advertising  campaign  had created various responses from members of the public in relation to the waste and other areas of the Panels work such as the Waterfront. It was considered that the cost of the campaign had been justified.

  1. Email from Mr. Ellison

The  Panel  considered  the  e-mail  correspondence  and noted that Mr. Ellison had been informed that it was his choice whether or not to forward his letter to the Chief Minister. The Panel agreed that the Chairman should arrange a meeting with Mr. Ellison in order to discuss his concerns.

RD. KLB. CSW.

SC/MR

RD

7.

Air Quality Review

  1. To receive an oral update

The Panel noted that the Chairman had received a report by  Professor  Laxen  and  following  consideration  had requested that additional material be added.

  1. Additional Material for report

The Panel noted the additional material for the report and agreed that they should give further consideration to it at a subsequent Panel meeting.

RD. KLB. CSW.