Merseyside to assess zero waste move

The authority this week confirmed that it is looking at a number of ways to take the authority forward and these include a name change. However, that is proving to be a challenge because because of the legal complexities involved were it to drop Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) as its official title.

Earlier this year the Authoritys board discussed the possibility of renaming the Authority, commonly known as MWDA, to the Merseyside Strategic Waste Management Authority. But, legal advice from Eversheds said this could be tricky as MWDA was established by the Waste Regulation and Disposal (Authorities) Order 1985 and to change it another law would be needed.

Because of this, Eversheds recommended that the authority might decide to use another name on displays or in information literature which it publishes.

One change that has already been implemented is the change of job titles for senior officers. Carl Beer, formerly director of waste disposal has become chief executive and other job titles have also changed.

Speaking to letsrecycle.com this week, Mr Beer said that a new name and further plans are all part of the whole move away from the concept of disposal and moving to resource management.

He said: What we are talking about is tackling waste in terms of the waste hierarchy. Aname change for the public-facing side of the authority, keeping the MWDA as our official name, could help in getting this resource message over.

We have to take an overall strategic view which looks forward at issues such as the name, whether we can share services with other authorities, and how we work with the private sector and other North West authorities.

Savings

Any coming together of authorities in the North West could see some of them move into the Mann Island development in Liverpool, which, explained Mr Beer, could bring savings in areas such as IT, and project management.

While no definite name change plans have yet been made, Mr Beer said titles such as Zero Waste Merseyside or the Merseyside Waste and Resource Authority were possible options. He added: members are keen to run a workshop to discuss issues such as the public facing name and we hope to hold this later this autumn.

The MWDA, added Mr Beer, is heavily engaged in discussions around the low carbon economy and intends to be one of the players on that agenda.

• The authority is currently involved in the competitive dialogue process for a waste treatment contract with Covanta and SITA UK. Final tenders are due to be invited in November. (See letsrecyle.com story)