States Chamber

So how did a fairly normal meeting go, as one deputy put it, "completely belly up"? Well it all started with the airport firefighters.

Thousands were left stranded at the start of the week when fire cover was reduced to zero because of a pay dispute. A day later they were all back at work - but the reasons why remained a mystery. That was until the end of day one of the May States meeting, which was the point it all turned a little bit hostile within the chamber.

The reasons are now clear. The firefighters were all given around £4,000 each over the next twelve months to guarantee cover at the airport. But it was not down to the committee that normally negotiates States pay - the Public Sector Remuneration Committee. Instead the decision was ultimately made by the Chief Minister, Lyndon Trott, along with the rest of the Emergency Powers Authority.

That emerged on day one of the May States meeting - day two stated with the official resignation of the entire Public Sector Remuneration Committee after what it described as "unprecedented interference by a group of Ministers". The resignations will be debated at a later date. 

Now onto the decisions made this month. Kerbside recycling was easily the biggest talking point, but despite hours of debate the States are not any closer to introducing an Island wide scheme. In fact we are further away. The Public Services Department had wanted to just completely scrap the idea. However, Deputy David De Lisle tried to convince the States to start island wide pick ups of dry recyclables like paper and plastic. In the end both options were rejected, the report was simply thrown out. Deputy De Lisle is not giving up that easily though and it is definitely not the last we have heard on this one.

The States also agreed to update the Island's overcrowding laws to protect anyone living in sub-standard accommodation. It means there will be tighter controls on how many people can occupy a room. 

The future use of Longue Hougue was also debated, and the urban area plan adapted accordingly. The changes will allow a wider range of technologies to be located there when the States finally decide how to deal with the Island's rubbish. That is not happening until July.

And one more issue that is not happening now until next month - the capital prioritisation debate. That is the debate on the long list of states spending priorities like the airport runway and Les Beaucamps school. Alongside this is the small issue of how to pay for all the work. Make sure you are following the June States meeting to see what happens.