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.’