Technology focus for new WIP team

The plans for WIP were sketched out yesterday by John Burns, its newly-appointed project manager during a seminar at the CIWM's Torbay conference.

WIP is a creation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is part of the government's response to the recommendations in last year's Strategy Unit report.

Funding for WIP has come from Landfill Tax revenues diverted to DEFRA as the money is no longer allowed to be spent on waste related projects. Mr Burns defended the Treasury's decision to end the spending on waste-related projects and told delegates that using the money for sustainable waste management through WIP will “give added benefit and added value”.

He outlined four main areas of work for WIP but admitted that the idea of having a WIP-style delivery unit within DEFRA was something quite new for the department. “This is very much an experiment for DEFRA. It is the first time as a policy department it has set up a very focused delivery programme.”

The work of WIP will go side-by-side with the work of WRAP and is based on the recommendations of last year's Strategy Unit report, explained Mr Burns. Three workstreams are to be handled by WRAP and four by WIP.

WIP:

WRAP:

Funding
Ian White of Viridor Waste Management's Environmental Body raised the question of what had happened to all the money which used to be spent through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme on waste-related projects. He estimated that of the 84 million which was taken out of the Landfill Tax system for England only about half of this had been allocated either to WIP or the Legacy Fund for remaining LTCS projects.

Mr Burns replied that the figures for spending by WIP were “very indicative figures and dependent on events that take place over the next few months.” He added that at least “30 million if not 40 million will be set aside and will be channelled back” through WIP.

Projects
WIP's spending plans so far include 3.5 million for new technology, 8.5 million for data and research work and 1.9 million for local authority support.

“Local authority support means practical support, working with local authorities where they might improve and to help them in meeting targets,” explained Mr Burns.
Ideas that WIP is looking at include: procurement processes; training for waste officers; standard contracts, systems and processes.

Bob Stranks, a project officer with Surrey county council, told Mr Burns that work on contracts and procurement was certainly needed. “We have not got a clue, we are nave and do not bargain collectively. Councils are being picked off one by one and would benefit strongly from collective purchasing agreements.”

Mr Burns stressed the need to get new technology projects going. “We will have a scheme of funding to research new techniques in waste management in particular to research demonstration models and then get the technology into use for local authorities. I see that is one of the key areas of work for us over the next three years.”