Rates bills likley to go up due to incinerator gate fee rise

Mon, 02 Dec 2019

Story by Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne

Ratepayers will likely see their bills increase next year due to a planned rise in gate fees at the Island’s energy from waste plant.

An increase of just under 2% (1.92) will come into effect from April next year.

It will see the cost of disposing of household waste rise to £93.70 per tonne, and commercial waste at £186.55 per tonne.

‘Dedicated’ loads of wood will still be charged at £35 per tonne, and for tyres £100 per tonne.

As waste disposal makes up a significant proportion of local authority expenditure, changes in gate fees will impact rate-setting for the year ahead.

Increases are calculated via a formula agreed in a contract between the Department of Infrastructure and plant operator SUEZ.

These are then transferred to local authorities, which are responsible for domestic waste disposal.

Part of the rise is to cover the annual costs of maintaining the facility, including staffing, maintenance and insurance.

But increases also take into account the amount of waste delivered, and any income from the sale of electricity.

Other expenditure includes resources like the chemicals used to clean waste gases, and oil to start the plant after shutdowns.

Last year, gate fees rose by 5.7%.