Hospitality: delaying waste charges is no solution

Monday 26 June 2017

Hospitality leaders in Jersey have described plans to only charge 50% of controversial new waste charges in the first year as, "...just kicking the problem down the road."

The infrastructure Department wants to bring in the new charges for 'liquid' waste disposal from next year for 'non-households' - which includes businesses, clubs and sports associations - with charges for 'solid' waste to follow later. Figures show the charge could get up to £40,000 a year for some of the larger hotels.

The Infrastructure Department argues the States already agreed the move as part the Medium Term Financial Plan last year. That means next month, Members just have to agree when to bring the charges into effect. 

But hospitality businesses have warned that the charges will hit them hard at a time when the industry is trying to recover, and may even force some to go under. They argue the proposals haven't been properly thought through, and consultation has been inadequate. 

In response, on Friday the Infrastructure Minister offered to only bring in 50% of the liquid waste charge in the first year, with the full effect not being felt until the next year, to give businesses time to prepare. 

But the Jersey Hospitality Association published a statement over the weekend arguing that a delay does not solve the problem. Jersey Hospitality Association President Fiona Kerley said:

“We welcome Deputy Noel’s realisation that he did not get this right first time but he is just kicking the problem down the road. Delaying the full charge for a year does not change the fundamental problem with it: that the Minister is threatening the existence of an important Island industry without any proper consultation or consideration of the impact on hospitality businesses or the wider-reaching impact on other businesses supplying the industry and those reliant on the visitors such as retail. This tax could easily create an inflationary ripple across the island population. The Minister needs to stop rushing through a poorly conceived law and talk to us. That is all we ask.”