Following this week's announcement that 20 million would be made available to relieve recycling spending pressures in every English council this year, LARAC welcomed the government's current commitment to recycling funding.
But the Committee warned against the “piecemeal” approach by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs towards recycling funds for local authorities.
LARAC, which now has 96% of UK councils as members, said today that a more strategic approach to waste funding is needed so councils can develop better medium-to-long term plans.
Andy Doran, who chairs the Committee, said: “Whilst additional funding is always to be applauded it is only for the one year and recycling doesn't stop in 2005/6 when we meet the targets. Schemes will need to continue and improve beyond the target dates and local authorities cannot plan for the longer term on this piecemeal approach to funding. At a time when we are producing our waste strategies for the next 10 years we are working with short term funding and targets.”
Mr Doran's comments came in the week that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs opened its consultation into the forthcoming Waste Management Performance Reward Grant (see letsrecycle.com story). The grant is to replace the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund from 2005/6.
The LARAC chair called for DEFRA to pull its weight with the Treasury in securing long-term funding. Mr Doran said: “DEFRA should now take hold of the strategic direction of household waste management and tackle the Treasury on the issue of longer-term funding so that authorities can map out the way forward with greater clarity and certainty.”
Register for free to comment