The LTCS has been running since 1996 when the government allowed landfill operators to claim back some of the tax on waste being set for landfill in order to support local communities. Since then the Scheme has distributed nearly 500 million to over 20,000 community, sustainable waste management and biodiversity projects.
Last year, the government reformed the scheme by removing sustainable waste management projects from the remit. Landfill operators are also now only allowed to donate 6.8% of their landfill tax reduced from 20%.
Speaking at the Onyx Environmental Trust sixth annual lunch yesterday, Mrs Robinson said that originally the Scheme was only expected to be a short term measure and to distribute only 10 million a year and so the central principles now need to be re-examined.
She said: “Now, one year after the introduction of the revised Scheme, it is appropriate to reflect on the fundamental principles of the Scheme and how it serves the communities affected by proximity to landfill sites.”
To reflect the change in size of the LTCS, Entrust the regulator of the LTCS has also been reduced in size and introduced new software to help streamline Environmental Bodies, the funds' distributors.
Mrs Robinson said: “As regulator, ENTRUST is working to increase efficiency and effectiveness and also to bring administrative expenditure in line with the decrease in income. New working methods will reduce the administrative burden on Environmental Bodies, allowing them to do the same.”
Onyx
At the event in the House of Lords, the Onyx Environmental Trust launched its 2003 Annual Report.
In 2003, the Trust distributed a total of 3.921 million to 78 projects which included a recycling and waste reductions campaign in Liverpool, turning an old colliery and brickworks into a wetland and woodland habitat in East Ayrshire and a new visitors' centre for Derby Cathedral officially opened by the Queen.
Margaret Cobbold, general manager of the Onyx Environmental Trust, said: “Although we saw a reduction in categories and funds available through the Scheme last year, we have experienced a large increase in the number of applications received by the Trust.
“With more organisations competing for a smaller share of the money, we have to work harder to ensure awards are given to worthwhile projects that directly benefit local communities and the environment.”
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