Environment
Government considers joint waste authorities
The government launched a consultation on 17 March into how local authorities in England could work together to deliver better integrated and cost-effective waste services and save around £150m nationally.
Any group of two or more neighbouring local authorities are to be allowed to apply to the government to voluntarily transfer waste collection, disposal and/or street cleaning to a Joint Waste Authority (JWA).
The consultation outlines options for how JWAs will work and asks for views on what the proposals should contain.
The government has allocated funding of £500,000 for 2008/09 to support the development of proposals for JWAs and anticipates that further funding will be allocated for the following two years.
Precise details of how the funding will be distributed are still being worked out, but details will be put on the Defra website during the consultation, which runs for 12 weeks to 9 June.
JWAs will be able to directly employ staff and enter into contracts with the private sector.
Climate change and waste minister Joan Ruddock said: "Authorities are already developing innovative ways of working with their neighbours to improve their waste services.
"Joint waste authorities can provide local authorities with an additional option for working together – one that will allow them to put their partnership on a statutory footing."
Ruddock: JWAs can provide local authorities with additional option for working together
Advertisement
Comments
Ian Dent - 17 March 2008
What welcome news! I've always advocated that more joined up thinking at LA - and central - Government level on waste is vital to success. However, whilst I see this as a potential golden opportunity to manage all waste streams in a more cost-effective manner - both quantitatively and qualitatively- it will require a NATIONAL body to oversee such a system as partnership working in LAs is not well established. A NATIONAL body should also be composed of both regulators, the regulated,i.e. obligated businesses and the waste management sector alongside the LAs to ensure that an effective system is implemeneted and monitored. What we don't want is a repeat of the waste management fund offered in Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett's days, which just seemed to be squandered opportunity.
Gordon Carson - 18 March 2008
Let's just hope that this is a true consultation exercise and that the government is willing to listen to adventurous proposals put forward by industry and local government. Local authority budgets are under increased pressure in many different services, so anything that can help them spread risk should be welcome and will hopefully encourage more partnership working and standardisation of waste services where required.
To post comments please log in here