The sooner we hear, and find out what it means for our programmes, the better
Nick Gammage, WRAP
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is carrying out a comprehensive review of all its delivery bodies, including those which promote resource efficiency and recycling, in a bid to make them more efficient and get better value for money.
One option is thought to be the creation of a single resource efficiency body under the auspices of WRAP, which could have significant financial implications for bodies including WRAP, Envirowise and the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), whose budgets for 2009/10 have yet to be finalised.
The Oxfordshire-based BREW Centre for Local Authorities, which helps councils to tackle business waste, is also being looked at, alongside other organisations such as Action Sustainability – which promotes sustainable procurement amongst businesses.
Few details have emerged as to the exact financial outcomes but with Defra's budget squeezed, it is understood that cuts of £5-10 million are possible for WRAP.
A Defra spokeswoman told letsrecycle.com: “Ministers will be reaching a decision shortly on how to get best value for money from the taxpayer and deliver all services as efficiently as possible. We are looking at all the agencies and will report in due course.”
Commenting on budget implications, she said: “It depends what happens with the delivery landscape review – things may need to change.”
WRAP
Discussing the review, WRAP told letsrecycle.com that it believed there was a case for a simpler delivery landscape and a single resource efficiency body.
And, Nick Gammage, the organisation's director of communications, stressed that it needed clarification as soon as possible in order to plan its budget for next year.
Mr Gammage explained that WRAP had received a letter in August 2008 instructing it to plan on the basis of having the same budget as 2008/09 – but the reality could be different. Defra this year contributed £43million of WRAP's £56 million budget.
He said: “It is important that we get clarity before the end of the financial year. The sooner we hear, and find out what it means for our programmes, the better. It is probably getting close now.”
Mr Gammage added that WRAP's work was highly regarded, commenting: “We have had some very positive signals about the way the work is regarded which has given us a lot of comfort.”
NISP
A spokewoman for NISP said that the organisation was expecting a decision from Defra in the next two weeks, after the department missed its original deadline of November 2008.
She added that NISP had been advised by Defra that it would remain “in some way” in the new delivery body landscape, and that it's funding of £5.025 million a year was guaranteed until March 2010.
The spokeswoman said: “We are expecting a decision within the next few weeks. We have been advised by Defra that NISP will remain in some way and funding levels of £5.025 million a year guaranteed until March 2010. We have had various meetings with Defra on the subject.”
However, the spokeswoman stressed that whatever decision Defra came to, NISP hoped that businesses would not suffer – pointing out that NISP had helped businesses to achieve £122 million cumulative cost savings from April 2005.
The spokeswoman said: “The purpose of the delivery body review is to address some of the duplication that there has been in terms of the type of support given to business. But I really hope businesses don't lose out. Testimonials from companies we work with show they are grateful for assistance to help them cut down costs and help their environmental performance.”
Envirowise was unavailable for comment.
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