States Chamber

Paid parking, Central European Time, and the redevelopment of Les Beaucamps School. All issues the States have been debating for years - but the February States meeting finally saw some decisions made. Although in the case of paid parking a previous decision was reversed.

The Environment Department was sent away to look at introducing paid parking years ago. In February it came back saying a per pay hour scheme for St. Peter Port just was not going to work. Instead it was suggesting a yearly charge for a parking disc, at a cost of twenty six pounds.

However, it was an idea that did not go down well with the States. Five amendments were placed ranging from introducing a system using scratch cards to scrapping the idea completely, which is ultimately what happened. The States decided to put one point two pence tax on a litre of fuel instead.

Onto Central European Time. It was an issue former Deputy Peter Roffey raised the profile of, and it was because of him that it was up for debate again. The Policy Council were tasked with going away to look at the pros and cons of changing the Island's clocks in line with France.

They did the research, but in the end the feeling was that it is not something Guernsey should being do. The States agreed that no further action should be taken.

The other two main issues this month were debated quickly. The report on Les Beaucamps school gave more details of the Education Department's plans ahead of the big capital prioritisation debate, which will now happen in May. There was very little discussion and deputies noted the proposals.

Kerbside recycling was the final talking point of the February meeting. The Public Services Department wanted to scrap plans for an Island wide scheme, saying it would be very costly and have little benefit. However, the States thought otherwise.

Deputy David De Lisle placed a requete asking for a full report into how it could work locally. It should be completed by June, at which time we will know once and for all whether Guernsey will get an Island wide scheme.