The Welsh Local Government Association has slammed “unwelcome” Assembly Government plans to fine councils £200 a tonne for failing to meet statutory recycling targets.
However, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which has been a vocal critic of the imposition of statutory targets since they were first mooted in April 2010, has said the proposed penalties will add increased budgetary pressures on local authorities at a time of financial hardship.
Tim Peppin, director of regeneration and sustainable development at the WLGA, said: “At a time when local authorities are facing up to the difficult challenge of having less money, the WLGA views that the possibility of penalties for not meeting recycling targets as an unwelcome development. Indeed, councils are already subject to potential fines under the Landfill Allowance Scheme.”
And, Mr Peppin said that the use of financial penalties could actually hinder the progress of the poorer performing councils in the country.
“Even the best quality services require high levels of participation by residents. Indeed, it would be unfair to impose penalties on local authorities for failing to meet targets if this is despite their best efforts and through no fault of their own,” he said.
However, Mr Peppin said that the WLGA was “reassured” that the WAG had stressed in the consultation document that the use of such penalties would only be a “last resort”. He added: “The WLGA, supported by the Assembly, will continue to work very closely with those local authorities in danger of failing to meet the targets and help them to avoid any unwanted fines.”
The WLGA has previously hit out at the proposed statutory targets, claiming that the introduction of such a measure would cost councils £30 million in investment in necessary infrastructure and service changes to be able to meet the legally-binding goals (see letsrecycle.com story).
Focus
Furthermore, Mr Peppin said that, while there was a need to improve recycling performance, the WLGA believed that the focus of the WAG should fall on waste prevention and minimisation in the first instance.
He said: “Local authorities fully recognise their responsibilities and are committed to increasing rates of recycling as far as possible – although minimising the amount of waste created in the first place must be the priority. On average local authorities are currently recycling around 40% which is a great improvement on 7% which was achieved in 2000/01.”
Elsewhere, a recycling officer at one Welsh local authority, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the inclusion of such penalties in the consultation document. He told letsrecycle.com: “It doesn't sound like WAG has every faith in us meeting these goals.”
He added: “I did find it strange that WAG could pass a Measure to make the targets statutory before they decided on the definition of recycling and what would count towards the target – for example, are rubble and incinerator bottom ash in or out?”
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