London to gain statutory Waste and Recycling Board

It will now move an amendment to the Greater London Authority Bill to place the body directing the Fund – the London Waste and Recycling Board – on a statutory footing.

But with the Board being overseen by the Government Office for London, there is a feeling within the capital that the government has “washed its hands” of London – tired of the continuing stand-off between the boroughs and London Mayor, Ken Livingstone.

The Mayor himself came out to denounce the new London Waste and Recycling Board -he sees no point in participating since the Board will have “no statutory powers to deliver real change on the ground”.

London's boroughs come out strongly in favour of the government's proposals for the Board, claiming victory in their battle with the Mayor.

Defra

Announcing the new Board today, Defra insisted it would provide “focus, clarity and stability” for London's waste management.

It will consist of 11 representatives – four from London boroughs and four from the Greater London Authority, with these eight nominating three further representatives from business and the wider community. The Mayor will be invited to chair the Board – or nominate a chair if he prefers.

Ben Bradshaw, environment minister, said: “I believe that this framework provides an opportunity for London government at all levels to work constructively together with business and other key stakeholders.

“There has been progress on waste and recycling in London, but we are not complacent – we need to continue to drive up performance for more sustainable waste management. The Board will be able to direct the Fund towards issues that London itself identifies as its priorities, including stimulating investment in infrastructure,” Mr Bradshaw added.

Defra explained that the Board would “focus on getting things done in London” – but it will not interfere in any functions of existing bodies, and it will not be a waste disposal or collection authority.

Liz Meek, regional director of the Government Office for London, said: “Government is keen to move forward and to help London deliver. We will work together with London stakeholders over the coming months to agree the detail of the membership and constitution of the Board. We believe that the best way of delivering the necessary step-change in waste management is to bring key stakeholders together in a small and focused body to find practical solutions for a sustainable future.”

Mayor

Mr Livingstone has written to ministers to object to the government's policy on London's waste management.

In a letter to Mr Bradshaw sent yesterday, Mr Livingstone warned the minister that he had been “wrongly briefed” on the single waste authority concept – and shredded the government's claims that there was “broad agreement” on the Waste and Recycling Board.

The Mayor also pointed out that the £19 million Recycling Fund was a “drop in the ocean” compared to what was needed for London's waste management.

He continued: “… as such I see no benefit to London in my participating. The Board does not represent a strategic policy solution but a political gesture, and as such is no more than a fig leaf over the problems.”

Commenting today the Mayor added: “The Board will have no statutory powers to deliver the meaningful change that is urgently needed in London. Therefore, I am again calling on the government to agree to the establishment of a Single Waste Disposal Authority to co-ordinate London's waste.”

Councils

Meanwhile, the boroughs' umbrella body London Councils today expressed “delight” over the government's proposals.

It said Defra's decision had effectively vindicated its point of view that landfill targets can only be achieved with the boroughs firmly in the driving seat. It said today that new figures for 2006/07 would show a 15% increase in London's average recycling rate.

Commenting today, Councillor Merrick Cockell, chairman of London Councils, said: “We are pleased that the government has today accepted our arguments over how best to improve waste management in the capital. The Forum and Fund was always going to help bring together those involved in waste management, but placing the Board on a statutory footing will make it more dynamic and instil it with a greater sense of purpose.”