The best value inspection team gave the waste management service two out of three stars because its recycling rates have increased by 50% in the last year. The service has already met its 2003/04 target of 22% and in partnership with the 12 district councils or waste collection authorities, has now set targets of 40% by 2004 and 60% by 2007.
But the inspectors said that differences between the county and the district councils could mean that these targets are not met and said that a clear waste strategy needs to be developed. The Audit Commission also said that there was room for improvement in public consultation exercises.
Andy Walford, acting regional director, central region best value inspection service, said:
“Although this is a good service, the council has acknowledged that it must urgently develop clear strategies with district councils in Essex who collect waste to provide effective long-term waste disposal arrangements. This will ensure that negotiations with any future contractors are on a fully informed footing.
“At the same time, it must also re-establish communications and consultation with the public and other stakeholders to ensure that they are thoroughly aware and engaged with the issues and options available for the county’s waste.”
The inspectors felt that the service is unlikely to improve because reliance is being placed on what it sees as a “complex and innovative” new waste management contract. Although the details are still being worked out with the waste collection authorities (WCAs), the inspectors felt that differences in opinion over how to meet targets could hamper progress.
Fragile
The report stated: “It is a further concern that relationships with the all-important WCAs can only be described as fragile and immature. Whilst the WCAs clearly aspire to some of the principles involved in the county's approach to the future waste strategy, such as maximising recycling, we think that they do not yet agree on methods for treating the residual waste.”
The inspectors said that they feared that the council’s timetable for developing the new waste management contracts may be optimistic because the waste collection authorities said that even if the very high recycling rate proves to be possible they doubted their ability to meet the costs.
The Audit Commission concluded that while it is clear that the WCAs aspire to the targets they were not sure that they accept full responsibility to deliver them. The inspectors said: “This puts the achievement of the overall 60% recycling target by 2007, which is dependant on their full co-operation, at risk.”
And any benefits arising from the new contract are unlikely to be evident to residents before 2005 and in the meantime, expensive contracts are in place. The inspectors said that while significant costs are being incurred to increase recycling rates, it is not clear whether the recycling targets are feasible, or can be met in a reasonable time.
Continued on page 2
Register for free to comment