The proposal from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affair has said that although the overall recycling rate would have to remain the same, by “pooling” together, individual councils can have their Statutory Performance Standards adjusted.
In a letter to local authority chief executives, DEFRA's head of recycling Tim Judson wrote: “Pooling will allow groups of waste authorities to work together to achieve Best Value by changing the individual levels of recycling and composting required of each of them, as long as the overall level remains the same.”
However, Mr Judson warned councils that although pooling aims to achieve collective responsibility through partnership working, each local authority will still remain legally responsible for its new individual Standard.
Earlier this year, DEFRA consulted on formal pooling arrangements in the 140 million Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund, and generally received a favourable response. However, a department official confirmed to letsrecycle.com that in signing up to their new proposal on pooling arrangements, local authorities would not gain an upper hand in the race for the second round of the 140 million fund, which is a completely separate process.
In submitting a proposal to DEFRA for a pooling arrangement, local authorities must set out explanations on how they will achieve Best Value, evidence supporting assumptions of future tonnages, letters of acceptance from each authority involved and details of any Local Public Service Agreements.
Proposals should be on no more than five sides of A4 and will need to be submitted before 30 September 2002. It is expected that decisions on the proposals should be made by 31 October 2002 so that new Standards can come into force legally on 1 April 2003.
For further information on the proposals, local authorities may email Alice Roberts at: Alice.Roberts@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
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