DEPUTY Scott Ogier has welcomed the quick formation of the independent waste review panel and its make-up. It will decide whether a mass burn energy-from-waste plant is right for Guernsey.

The panel was formed after Deputy Ogier’s successful requete to re-examine the future of solid-waste disposal.

It will suggest the best possible course of action when it reports back to the Policy Council at the end of the year.

‘I am pleased that it has taken less than two months to set-up. For the Policy Council to implement the States resolution in such a speedy manner is very good news,’ said Deputy Ogier.

‘They now need to get on with the review and I hope for a speedy report back from them.

‘It is all a question of time. We don’t want it to drag on because our landfill is filling up and we have to make a decision.’

Advocate Roger Dadd will chair the panel. He currently heads the Guernsey Bar’s mediation working party, which is looking to a cross-island approach to train mediators.

‘I have not received any information about the technical expertise of the people on the panel and I do not know them,’ said Deputy Ogier.

‘But on paper the panel looks very good. I don’t think anyone can be accused of being partisan in the selection process.

‘These are highly qualified, knowledgeable people who are highly experienced in their field.’

The panel includes National Audit Office director Richard Eales, who is currently working in the island assessing whether States services give value for money.

Mr Eales made headline news two years ago when he accused the UK Government of failing to heed warnings about the spread of foot and mouth disease and wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money in trying to control the crisis.

Also on the panel is Steve Lee, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management. He has been heavily involved in highlighting the challenges ahead in disposal, including new EU legislation.

He joined CIWM in September 2003 and before that was head of waste policy at the Environment Agency for five years. He was a waste regulator for 16 years and worked in site acquisition and hydrology in the West Midlands. He has been involved with waste for over 20 years.

Another appointment is Dr Marian Kelly, policy executive from the Environmental Services Association. She helped develop the association’s policy for Welsh waste management, including responses to the national waste strategy for Wales and the implementation of EU directives.

Sheffield-based environmental health practitioner David Purchon is also on the panel. He is a former president of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, member of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Heath, member of the Institute of Acoustics and associate member of the Institute of Waste Management.

George Marsh, head of Guernsey’s business unit, will provide administrative support.