MORE signs of cracks within the Environment Department appeared yesterday after it emerged that minister David De Lisle did not have his colleagues’ backing for a trip to Jersey.
Deputy De Lisle defended his presence at Tuesday’s meeting that resulted in a 5p charge for plastic bags being introduced by supermarkets from May. But other members were unhappy with his ‘go-it-alone attitude’.
Deputy De Lisle said that he used his States member’s travel allowance to pay for the trip.
‘I went as my own man on the invitation of the minister of Environment in Jersey because they wanted to do something pan-island,’ he said.
‘It wanted that extra push and I was very keen to provide that.’
The initiative to charge for bags in an attempt to cut waste was driven by the major food retailers in both islands as well as by pressure groups.
Money raised will be donated to local causes.
Only last week Deputy De Lisle was fending off claims from Confederation of Guernsey Industry chairman Phil Duquemin that his department was dysfunctional.
Deputy De Lisle has repeatedly said that government had not been proactive enough on this type of issue.
Of the apparent reluctance of departmental members to push ahead this time he said: ‘Is it yet another example of government holding back rather than moving forward? Industry and the people want to move forward.’
Some members believed that more-thorough research was needed before the department’s blessing was given.
Deputy Mary Lowe said the department had not discussed the pros and cons of the move and whether it was the right one. She said: ‘To reduce waste is the right way forward. If we start with plastic bags, that’s fine, provided the alternative is not more damaging to the environment.’
Deputy Ivan Rihoy said it was excellent that supermarkets had taken the initiative, but from a departmental viewpoint it was a case of thinking about priorities.
Deputy minister Janine Le Sauvage last night defended her minister’s trip.
‘The idea was that he would come back and report to the board so we could discuss it,’ she said.
Article posted on 6th March, 2008 - 2.29pm
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