John Duffy, senior policy advisor to the Mayor, said that the waste strategy was delayed at the request of the two assembly members who wanted more time to look at it and wanted more input into the draft.
Speaking last month, Mr Duffy had said that the strategy had left the advisors and was with the politicians. He said: “The strategy should be out in the next couple of weeks and then we will want everyone's opinions on the strategy and all views will be taken on board.”
But the strategy has now been delayed until the autumn. Last week the London Assembly attacked the Mayor for stalling on its publication which was originally due to be published last spring. The Assembly said that London’s waste is at crisis level and that boroughs need immediate guidance to help them deal with the problem. The Assembly warned that further delay could see decisions about new waste facilities being made on an ad hoc basis which would be a disaster for the capital.
Problems
One recycling officer said that the delay was causing problems as he would not be starting a new recycling plan until the strategy was launched.
But Jim Perkins, recycling officer for Greenwich, said: “If it is delayed but it is right when it comes out then there is no problem. They need to get it right and shouldn't rush it.”
Last week, Samantha Heath, chair of the Environment Committee, criticised Ken Livingstone for postponing the date for the Committee to receive the strategy. She said that the delay severely reduces the time the Committee has to scrutinize it and added that with landfill space running out the Assembly warned that if the situation is not addressed soon London could face a health crisis.
Sally Hamwee, chair of the London Assembly, said: “If the Mayor is in difficulty as to the content of the strategy, he should set out the options and instigate a considered debate. He is letting himself down by not seizing opportunities to discuss issues of real concern to Londoners. He has criticised the Assembly for asking him questions that he would prefer not to answer, but the bottom line is that by not answering to the Assembly, he is not answering to Londoners.”
She added: “We want detailed answers to why the waste strategy is being delayed and we won’t let the Mayor wriggle off the hook. The Assembly has formally summoned the Mayor’s environment adviser, John Duffy, to appear before it to answer these concerns and explain when London can expect to see the draft.”
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