THE People’s Independent Panel on Waste Disposal was a pointless exercise because of the Public Services Department’s lack of interest in it, according to the man appointed to chair it.
Former deputy John Langlois (pictured) headed the panel to offer guidance to its members while they scrutinised PSD’s decision on the future solution to the island’s waste problem.
PSD set up the panel to reassure islanders that public opinion would be taken into account when it made its recommendations to the States.
However, the department disbanded the panel two weeks ago, claiming that it had now run its course. Mr Langlois said the whole exercise had been disappointing.
‘I thought the idea of people’s panels was a good one which could contribute to good government and did all I could to ensure that this first one would be a good model for the future.
‘Unfortunately, it all fell apart after the general election when a new PSD minister was appointed. I got the impression that deputies, after knocking on doors around the parishes before the election, were not interested in listening to the people for another four years once they were elected.’
Mr Langlois had hoped he would be able to help panel members scrutinise PSD’s decision.
‘I approached my task as facilitator in a frame of mind that with 24 years’ experience in the States, 22 of them in senior positions, I could probably make a contribution to the good government of the island,’ he said.
‘I do not think I succeeded. The Public Services Department simply were not interested in listening to the panel and did not want to meet them.
‘A good opportunity for the States to interact with the people has been lost… now we have “professional” politicians who do not have ordinary jobs outside the States they seem to have lost touch with the people. I do not intend to waste my time again.’
Public Services minister Bernard Flouquet, who revealed at Thursday’s IoD debate that £10m. of taxpayers’ money had been spent over the years on trying to find a waste solution, said: ‘Public Services acted in accordance with the resolution of the States from January 2007, which instructed it to seek tenders from companies able to offer a range of waste management technologies.
‘It was not the Public Services Department’s remit, nor the people’s panel’s mandate, to revisit those previous decisions.’
Article posted on 4th October, 2008 - 9.29am
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