While the 20% figure is up from 18% it still falls short of the 25% proposed for local authorities as a whole for 2005. But, the 20% figure reflects thinking within the department that local authorities face different challenges according to the make-up of their area.
To help the lowest performing councils Defra is proposing more targeted intervention and engagement rather than any threats of legal action or sending officials in to run a council's recycling department. Instead the main sanction will be “ministerial engagement” based on work by ministers in 2003/04 when they met the bottom six authorities”.
Gap
Local environment quality minister, Ben Bradshaw, said that today's changes will help to narrow the gap between the best and worst performing authorities. And Defra has maintained that local authorities currently recycling more than the 20% minimum should still press ahead with improving their recycling service and rates.
Mr Bradshaw said: “Recycling in this country has trebled since 1997 and many local authorities are now producing rates in line with the best in Europe. Some are already showing that recycling rates of 40% and even 50% are possible, and we want them to continue to lead the way.
“But we need to use this experience and success, so that those who aren't recycling as much have all the support, encouragement and guidance they need. The result should be a more level service across the country, ensuring that everyone can recycle as much of their waste as possible,” he added.
Preferred
Targets for recycling were only set until 2005/06, with a recent government consultation questioning what the next steps should be. The preferred option was to freeze targets with the exception of the 18% minimum.
Following the consultation the department has gone ahead with its plans, despite some calls from industry suggesting that all recycling rates should be increased rather than allowing councils to become complacent.
Defra's increased aid to the lower councils will include careful assessment of the problems faced, extra training and closer working with the department.
Local authorities whose targets are now 20%, according to Defra figures issued in a press statement on 15 May 2006, are:
Allerdale BC, Alnwick DC, Amber Valley BC, Ashfield DC,
Barking & Dagenham LB, Barnsley MBC, Barrow-in-Furness BC Halton BC, Hastings BC, Bedford BC, Bedfordshire CC, Berwick-u-Tweed BC,
Birmingham City MBC, Blackburn/Darwen, Blackpool BC, Blyth Valley BC,
Bolsover DC, Boston BC, Brent LB, Bromsgrove DC, Broxtowe BC, Burnley BC, Calderdale MBC, Cannock Chase, Caradon DC, Chelmsford BC, Cherwell DC, Chester-le-Street DC, Chorley BC, City of London Corporation, Copeland BC,
Corby BC, Cornwall CC, Coventry City MBC, Crewe & Nantwich, Dacorum BC, Darlington BC, Derbyshire CC, Derwentside DC, Doncaster MBC, Dover DC,
Dudley MBC, Durham CC, Durham City, E Hertfordshire DC, E Staffordshire BC, Easington DC, East Lindsay DC, East London Waste Authority, Eastbourne BC,
Epsom & Ewell BC, Fenland DC, Gateshead MBC, Gloucester City,
Great Yarmouth BC, Greenwich LB, Hackney LB, Harborough DC, Haringey LB, Harlow DC, Hartlepool BC, High Peak BC, Hyndburn BC, Ipswich BC, Islington LB, Kerrier DC, Kettering BC, Knowsley MBC, Lancaster City, Lewisham LB,
Liverpool City MBC, Maidstone BC, Malvern Hills DC, Mansfield DC, Mid Bedfordshire DC, Middlesbrough BC, Newark & Sherwood DC, Newcastle-u-Lyme BC, Newcastle-upon-Tyne City MBC, Newham LB, North East Derbyshire DC,
North Kesteven DC, North London Waste Authority, North Shropshire DC,
North Tyneside BC, North Warwickshire BC, North Wiltshire DC, Northumberland CC, Norwich City, Nottingham City, Oswestry BC, Oxford City, Pendle BC, Penwith DC, Preston BC, Redcar & Cleveland BC, Redditch BC, Ribble Valley BC,
Richmondshire DC, Rochford DC, Rossendale BC, Rotherham MBC, Rugby BC, Runnymede BC, Rushcliffe BC, Sandwell MBC, Scarborough BC, Sedgefield BC, Sedgemoor DC, Selby DC, Sheffield City MBC, Solihull MBC, South Kesteven DC, South Northamptonshire DC, South Staffordshire, South Tyneside MBC, Southwark LB, St Helens MBC, Stafford BC, Staffordshire Moorlands DC, Stockton-on-Tees BC, Sunderland City, Tamworth BC, Teesdale DC, Telford & Wrekin, Thurrock BC, Tower Hamlets LB, Tynedale DC, Vale Royal BC, Wakefield City MDC, Waltham Forest LB, Wansbeck BC, Waveney DC, Wear Valley DC, Wellingborough BC, West Lindsey DC, West Oxfordshire DC, Westminster City, Wigan MBC, Wirral MBC,
Wolverhampton MBC, Wyre Forest DC and York City
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