The topic will be “Practical steps to deliver a comprehensive waste and recycling service” and the chair will be Steve Lee of CIWM, who has not been afraid to voice his concerns about some of the secretary of state’s policies.
Then, come Thursday, resource and recycling minister Dan Rogerson has at the last minute been volunteered or coerced into speaking. With his time under pressure, it is of rather a surprise that he also is heading to Birmingham. I anticipate his audience size may well be smaller than that for the secretary of state, but nevertheless it is encouraging to see Mr Rogerson getting involved – especially in view of recent concerns that the UK may miss the 50% recycling target for 2020.
Friend or foe?
To some in the sector, Mr Pickles is a foe, feared and dreaded. Many begrudge his involvement and see a policy of ‘little Britain politics’ involved. Others see him as a friend and feel that his approach can bring results. Hillingdon council, for example, in London has received funding support from DCLG for maintaining weekly collections and introducing food waste collections. It has recently reported a recycling rate above 50%.
Whatever views are taken of the secretary of state’s policies, it looks as though the session will be a great opportunity to hear views and perhaps get some answers. The one question I would like to pose, or someone else to ask, would be whether weekly food waste collections would be enough for Mr Pickles to allow fortnightly collections for residual wastes?
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