Councils rail against loss of enforcement powers

Defra must focus government waste policy away from issues such as collection frequency and support councils in extracting more value from waste, councillor Clyde Loakes of the Local Government Association told delegates at the RWM show yesterday (September 11).

Meanwhile he also criticised plans to remove council enforcement powers which enable them to take action against householders who consistently flout collection rules, with the LGA set to lobby against the proposals part of the Cabinet Offices Deregulation Bill that is currently passing through Parliament.

Outlining the findings of the LGAs Waste Review published in June, councillor Loakes explained that local authorities were seeking a transparent market for recyclate that rewards the production of quality material, and said that councils were keen to see the MRF code of practice have a meaningful effect on material quality.

Explaining the thinking behind the Review, councillor Loakes said: The only debate seems to be around collection frequency so we felt it was the right time to get a debate going on what waste can contribute to taxpayers.

We do need to raise the level of debate and it is important that government policies are sensible and will work with local government and all the players in the waste sector.

Policy

Speaking after councillor Loakes, Defras head of waste strategy and regulation Richard Pullen said that until recently government waste policy had been focused on driving up recycling rates, but acknowledge that greater focus was needed on producing a higher quality of material.

Mr Pullen added that the forthcoming MRF Code of Practice would seek to provide confidence in the quality of recyclate produced by facilities in the UK.

However, he made it clear that there is a strong desire within government to remove council enforcement powers against misuse of waste services, despite opposition from local authorities, stating: I think it is fair to say we favour positive encouragement as far as possible, rather than tough criminal sanctions.

The governments position on enforcement was criticised by some local authority delegates, with one claiming that it had failed to listen to local authorities, who he said would struggle to tackle contamination and fly tipping without sufficient enforcement powers.

The RWM show, which sees over 750 exhibitors, 150 speakers, and thousands of visitors descend on the NEC to see and hear the latest in waste and recycling innovations, ends today (September 12).