States approves waste plan report

Guernsey's States has approved the latest report by the Public Service Department (PSD) about its work to deal with the island's rubbish.

The island needs to address how it deals with its waste because its Mont Cuet tip is expected to reach capacity by 2012.

The approval means the PSD can find a solution for dealing with waste and go out to tender to find a contractor.

A vote to instruct the PSD to present more than one solution was rejected.

Department trust

In its report, the PSD said it would only be presenting the States with one possible solution to deal with waste.

A vote to instruct the PSD to name a preferred contractor and the next two high-scoring tenders offering different technologies failed.

Deputy Mark Dorey put forward his amendment to see a wider selection of tenders presented to the States rather than just the single waste option favoured by Public Services.

His move was defeated in the States by 24 to 22 on Thursday.

Public Service Minister Bernard Flouquet said he hoped "most members would put their trust in the PSD".

'Square one'

He said: "I hope that everybody can have the trust in my department and its members to come forward with the proper solution at the end of the day."

Proposals to deal with waste includes a mass-burn incinerator and increases in recycling.

However, the idea of just presenting just one solution still has other politicians concerned.

Vale Deputy Matt Fallaize said it ran the risk of it being voted out.

He said: "I think if the PSD comes back proposing to build a mass burn incinerator, the States will throw it out and we'll be back to square one."