Martin Ford 05 September 2019

Waste strategy places 'needless burden' on councils, MPs warn

The waste strategy proposed by the Government has come under fire from MPs amid concerns about the burden it could impose upon local authorities.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s report, published today, praises the ambitious targets for recycling it contains but has criticised the approach.

It says more information should be provided by the Government on additional sources of funding for councils, in particular how funds from the ‘extended producer responsibility scheme’ will be passed on to local authorities.

The report highlights that existing recycling infrastructure is ‘inadequate’ to meet future targets and estimates investment of up to £20bn will be needed, and asks central Government, rather than councils or consumers, to pick up the cost.

It also reiterates the committee’s initial findings from its investigation, published in July, criticising rule dictating the number of recycling bins and frequency of collections, and forcing councils to provide a free garden waste service.

The report adds: ‘Waste collection is one of the most tangible services that local communities receive from their councils and it is they who will be accountable at the ballot box.’

Committee Chair Clive Betts said the strategy took the ‘wrong approach’ and ‘should not seek to dictate that which is best determined by local decision makers’.

He added: ‘Local authorities understand what the challenges are in their areas and should be given the freedom to tailor their approach to meet them.

‘The Government has indicated it will provide more funding, but they must demonstrate that this will be adequate in the long-term. Local authorities are already struggling, they cannot be expected to shoulder further burden without extra resourcing.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Business Support Officer - Finance

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Street Services is seeking a Business Support Officer (Finance) to join its busy Business Support Team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Business Support Officer - Budgetary Control

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Street Services is seeking a Business Support Officer (Budgetary Control) to join its busy Business Support Team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Assistant Business & Transformation Manager

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£44,331 to £47,532
This role offers a unique opportunity to manage critical business functions while driving digital transformation across a vital public service. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

GDA Apprentice - Trades

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£27,345 - £27,345
GDA Apprentice Various Trades - work, earn and learn Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Bilingual Education Officer Dari/Pashto

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (pro rata to hours worked)
Bilingual Education Officer – 18.5 hours per week, term time only, temporary until 31st March 2026. We wish to appoint a part-time, Bilingual Educati Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.