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MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 June 2003, copies of which had been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.  

MATTERS ARISING

Richard Powell advised that a response had been prepared to the Regional Waste Strategy Consultation since the last meeting. Thanks was given to those who had contributed.

ACTVaR

The Committee was requested to confirm membership from the Joint Waste Committee on the ACTVaR Waste Forum. The forum had allocated one Member seat to each County Authority and two for District Councils in Buckinghamshire. The current representatives were Councillor H Wilson of Bucks County Council, Councillor D Rowlands of Aylesbury Vale District Council and Councillor J Warder of Chiltern District Council.

RESOLVED –

That the membership from the Joint Waste Committee on the ACTVaR Waste Forum be confirmed as: -

FLYTIPPING

David Sutherland gave a brief overview on the latest progress with initiatives to tackle the ongoing problem of fly-tipping across the county. The Committee was invited to endorse the proposals set out in the report.

It was noted that as part of the restructuring of the BCC Waste Management Section an Enforcement Officer had been recruited to the Waste Reduction Team. The role of this officer in the initial stages would be to act as a lead ensuring that covert cameras were installed at hotspots around the County.

In light of the ongoing escalation of fly-tipping, Faye Scadden, Communications Officer in the BCC Communication Team had been asked to draft a fly-tipping communications strategy that would aim to tackle the problem on a number of fronts. The campaign would be carried out over a 4-month period commencing in November 2003. The cost for the implementation of this campaign would be £20,000. In line with former partnership arrangements to date the costs of the campaign had been shared between the County Council and District Councils. Officers representing each partner authorities had been working on the development and implementation of the campaign.

As this was an area of joint work the Committee was requested to consider developing a brand/logo under which the work/campaigns of the Waste Committee could be delivered. The Committee agreed that it was important for a logo to be developed. Officers were requested to put together some designs that would then be emailed to Members of the Committee for comment. Due to the tight time-scale for the fly-tipping campaign it was agreed that it should be branded under the phrase ‘Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire’.

The need for an Enforcement Policy had been identified and a copy was before the Committee for consideration.

The Committee was in agreement that it was important to have a consistent approach in the treatment of offenders, in particular small traders.

Councillor Warder suggested that a method of removing large fly-tips be organised at a county level. It was agreed that the Technical Officers Group be tasked to develop this.

RESOLVED –

WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCUREMENT OPTIONS

Members were advised of the follow up to the seminar on procurement options for Waste and Management and to recommend a way forward to provide a framework in which to develop future procurement of services.

It was agreed by the Committee that the best way forward was for a full procurement options appraisal, including a Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) study, to be carried out as part of the County Council’s review of procurement.

The County Council would engage Babtie to carry out the work identified at an estimated initial cost of £30k to £50k. Feedback on this issue would be reported to the Committee at a future meeting.

Martin Dickman advised that the report had also been considered by CADEX and the Leaders Group and had been received favourably.

RESOLVED –

MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN BUCKS – UPDATE FOR 2002/03

David Smedley presented the report on the annual update on the Waste Strategy to the Committee. It was noted that the report followed the same format as the actual strategy document.

The Committee focussed on the issue of abandoned vehicles and it was agreed that it was important to develop good practice in the treatment of abandoned vehicles across the county.

Resulting from the update it was noted that there still appeared to be reluctance by the public to recycle.

Little progress had been made with regard to the WEEE regulations since the update given at the last meeting of the Joint Waste Committee. The Committee agreed that the public was unaware of how to dispose of certain items and this needed to be addressed.

The update for 2003/04 would also include the figures for 2002/03 to allow for comparison.    

RESOLVED –

2. That year on year comparisons be included in future reports.  

BUDGETS AND RECYCLING CREDITS

A report highlighting the significant financial costs that would be faced in respect of waste disposal was before the Committee for consideration. The Committee was required to review the policy with regard to the payment of recycling credits and to consider a potential funding option for the Committee.

Councillor D Rowlands raised concern over the diversion of part of the increase in recycling credits to the Committee in order to create a dedicated budget for 2005/06 onwards. It was noted that this would not have to be addressed for a further twelve months.

The Committee agreed that it was important to sort out a budget for approval by the county council and the district councils.  The Technical Officers Group was requested by the Committee to develop a work programme with budgetary requirements. An initial programme for 2004/05 was to be circulated as soon as possible. This would then be presented to CADEX and the Leaders meeting.  

RESOLVED –

WASTE EDUCATION AND WASTE SUMMIT

Sally Wright briefed Members on the various aspects of waste education which were developing as a result of officer participation in the Waste Watch, Waste Education Support Programme (WESP).

Members were also requested to consider the option of the Bucks authorities holding a one-day waste summit event for schools. This would provide an opportunity to show case the work of the Waste Committee for Bucks and would link together the waste activities of schools around the county, as well as providing a valuable educational and promotional opportunity. It was proposed that the event would take place in the Autumn term of 2004. A bid would be submitted to EB Bucks in September, which would include a provision for £5000 to fund the waste summit.

Councillor D Rowlands suggested that the summit be part of a Waste Awareness Week for Schools.

RESOLVED –

That a schools’ waste summit to be held in the autumn term of 2004 be supported.

FUNDING BIDS

The Committee was updated on the successful external bids that had occurred and were advised of future bidding opportunities.

Particular reference was made to the possibility of bidding to the DEFRA Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund in order to develop and submit a joint bid by the partner authorities for a Countywide multimedia waste awareness campaign.

RESOLVED –

DEFRA BID

Martin Dickman reported that notification had been received in the past week that DEFRA would provide £835,000 towards the composting facility. This had been a joint project with Wycombe and the bin element of the bid had had to be removed therefore this had resulted in a loss of funding amounting to £300k. There was no end of year flexibility therefore the money would have to be spent by the end of March 2004.

LOBBYING

Chris Marchant wished to raise this at the meeting in order to raise the profile of lobbying. Ideas were welcomed and it would be left for South Bucks District Council to bring proposals to the Technical Officers Group to progress this.

DRAFT HEADS OF TERMS

Members were asked to consider a draft Constitution and Terms of Reference for the Joint Waste Committee for Bucks prior to approval by the constituent authorities.

RESOLVED –

That the draft Constitution and Terms of Reference for the Joint Waste Committee for Bucks be approved.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was noted that DEFRA would be looking to pool recycling targets in 2005/06. It was agreed that no further action should be taken at this time. The Technical Officers Group would look it at when appropriate.

The Committee agreed that it would beneficial if a representative from SEERA was involved with the Committee.

The issue of officer support for the Joint Waste Committee would appear on the agenda of the next meeting.  

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING

The next two meetings would be held on :