Greater clarity over planning policy has emerged as one of the top items which the waste industry would like to see addressed in 2011.
Discussing their ambitions for the forthcoming year, the three organisations covered an array of topics and also revealed a hope that the impending waste policy review will reflect the “extremely challenging” circumstances currently facing the waste and recycling sector and local authorities.
The ESA stated that there was a need to “speed up” the planning process, claiming that uncertainty of construction timetables was causing complications when it came to contracts and funding. Furthermore, it said there needs to be a push to encourage communities to accept developments.
A spokesman said: “This could be achieved through directing business rates raised from facilities back to local communities. An alternative would be to bring forward the negotiation of section 106 agreements such that local residents are able to see the benefits in advance of the planning decision being debated.”
In addition, the ESA would like 2011 to usher in a period of greater coordination between developers of municipal and commercial waste treatment infrastructure. This would see economies of scale used as a main reason behind developing residual waste treatment plants.
The ESA previously called for greater government support for energy-from-waste technologies in its policy document ‘Driving change: Policy proposals for a greener government', which was published in October (see letsrecycle.com story).
Localism
Meanwhile, Chris Murphy, deputy chief executive at the CIWM, said that his organisation would be keen to understand the practical impact of government terms such as ‘Big Society' and ‘localism', in order to better appreciate how these will impact the future of the waste sector.
“We're working through the Localism Bill particularly in the planning area,” he said. “Will ‘localism' make it easier or harder to secure planning consent? [We are seeking] more clarity on what it will mean.”
The Localism Bill, which was published on December 13, is intended to place more decision-making powers in the hands of local communities and councils with regards to planning matters, such as energy-from-waste incineration developments (see letsrecycle.com story).
Policy
Government should create a simple, clear policy and funding framework focusing on meeting EU targets, and creating clear, simple incentives for councils
Clive Harris, waste policy advisor, LGA
The LGA expressed a desire for a “simple, clear policy and funding framework” for the waste sector reflected in the waste policy review, in order to enable councils and associated businesses to meet the demands of European waste legislation.
Clive Harris, waste policy advisor at the LGA, said: “We would like to see the outcomes of the Defra waste review reflect the extremely challenging circumstances currently facing councils. The review must create assurance that EU targets can be met and fines avoided at the minimum possible cost.
“To achieve this central government should create a simple, clear policy and funding framework focusing on meeting EU targets, and creating clear, simple incentives for councils, and the private sector, in general as waste producers and the resources sector.”
And, Mr Murphy said that the CIWM was hopeful of the outcomes of the waste review but was aware that it would not be a ‘silver bullet' for all the sector's problems.
“I'd like to think it'll be the answer to our prayers, but I don't think it'll have the delivery in there, due to the timescales involved in producing it,” he said. “[It will have] a little bit of clarity about direction but I don't think the document will resolve the issues.”
The waste policy review is currently being deliberated on by officials, with Defra expressing an intention to publish the results of the review by May 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Concerns
Mr Murphy also echoed Mr Harris' concerns about the circumstances facing the waste sector, such as the average 2011/12 budget cut of 4.4% (see letsrecycle.com story), and called for key areas of working to be safeguarded.
He said: “Public sector cuts are going to have a real effect and I am worried that all the good work done on waste prevention and carbon might disappear, but they're too important to let it go. Authorities will go to their core business which is understandable, and I don't see any answer to it.”
Mr Murphy added that he was looking forward to the 2011 Futuresource Conference and Exhibition, which he called “an opportunity for key speakers to talk about policy”. He coupled this with loftier ambitions for the sector in general, commenting: “I hope the industry builds and becomes a more prominent part of industry as a whole.”
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