The councils have signed a memorandum of understanding that could lead to joint contracts being set up to improve the value and performance of waste management services, as well as taking advantage of increased efficiency and economies of scale.
” Working as a partnership greatly improves our chances of success. “
– Cllr John Hudson, Leicestershire Waste Management Partnership
Leicestershire councils had been working together to a limited capacity already, but the partnership agreement will strengthen the ties and could lead to a decision-making board being set up within the next two years. This would have executive powers across the two tiers of waste management in the county – collection and disposal.
Councillor John Hudson, chair of the Leicestershire Waste Management Partnership, said: “The signing of this document by each partner council is a significant move to ensure we deliver waste services more effectively and efficiently in the future.
“Working as a partnership greatly improves our chances of success. This can be achieved by getting access to better funding opportunities, developing closer ties between the two functions of waste collection and disposal, and raising our profile so that collectively we have a louder voice,” Cllr Hudson said.
The partnership members include Leicestershire county council and the districts of Blaby, Harborough and North West Leicestershire as well as the boroughs of Charnwood, Hinckley & Bosworth, Melton and Oadby & Wigston.
The Leicestershire councils currently recycle just over 25% of the 330,000 tonnes of household waste produced in the county. This exceeded the 22% target set by the government for 2003/04 and puts the county on course for the 30% target to be achieved in 2005/06.
Review
Initially, the new partnership will focus on improving the collection of materials for recycling, taking advantage of the experience of high-performing partner councils including Harborough and Melton.
But, the partnership will also be looking to other forms of waste treatment to divert material from landfill according to the partnership's project manager, Neil Greenhalgh.
Mr Greenhalgh told letsrecycle.com: “We are confident we will be in a good position for 2009/10 and beyond, but we are not resting on our laurels. We will need some sort of landfill diversion treatment process.”
The Partnership is to review its existing waste strategy next year, and could opt for new waste treatment technologies to divert material from landfill and will consider applying for Private Finance Initiative support for new infrastructure.
The county's current waste strategy – adopted in 2003 – is focussed on providing new energy-from-waste facilities. But Mr Greenhalgh said that new technologies are now becoming viable and “could give energy from waste a run for its money” in the forthcoming strategy review.
Register for free to comment