MoreThanWaste.com - UK Government invites partnership approach on waste (10/06/2008)

London: Local authorities are being encouraged to form partnerships to deliver integrated, cost-effective waste services for their areas and are being invited by Environment Minister Joan Ruddock to submit expressions of interest.

Powers to create Joint Waste Authorities came into force last year as part of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, the power being given following requests in response from local authorities.

Joan Ruddock has written to all local authority Chief Executives with an invitation to submit a no-commitment expression of interest in applying to become a JWA. It is hoped that formal developed proposals can be submitted from Autumn 2008. Many waste disposal ans collection authorities, particularly in "two tier areas" are already working closely, though unitary authorities could also benefit from joint working to gain the economies of scale associated with the larger waste catchment areas that would result from partnership efforts.

Joan Ruddock, Minister for the Environment

Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) says that a report on joint working on waste by the Innovation Forum earlier highlighted the benefits of joint working in two-tier areas, citing possible efficiency savings of around £150m nationally.

The report identifies one of the key barriers to joint working was the limited legal basis for joint working arrangements which can create difficulties when authorities are dealing with the private sector. Applying for creation of a formal JWA to work together should reduce such barriers to joint working.

It is up to the relevant local authorities to decide whether to make a proposal for a JWA, and which types of waste function (collection, disposal and/or street cleansing) they wish to discharge through a joint waste authority.

The UK Government says that the JWA option is one of a variety of partnership models currently open to local authorities with the aim of improving efficiency in wastes management and delivering efficient and effective high quality services for communities.

Joan Ruddock said:

"Waste is an issue which affects everyone, but local circumstances vary considerably. We want to give local authorities flexibility and choice over the solutions available to them, so they can manage waste in the way that serves their communities best. Local authorities have asked for JWAs, and they offer another voluntary option for strong partnership working with the potential to deliver joined-up, more cost-effective and efficient waste services.

"For local communities, how waste is managed is quite rightly high on the list of concerns. Any JWA will be set up on a voluntary basis, will need unanimous support from the authorities involved, and will be made up of elected members from those authorities, who are fully accountable to their communities. Authorities will also need to consult locally on any proposals for a JWA. Where they are the right local solution I hope to see communities benefit from the efficiencies this kind of joint working can bring."

It is anticipated that the deadline for first applications will be Spring 2009.

Further information

The process for applying to the Secretary of State to become a JWA is currently out for consultation (closes 9 June 2008, see ). Following the consultation, it is intended that the relevant secondary legislation will come into force in the autumn. The first formal proposals may be submitted after the legislation has been completed.

Further information on partnership working, JWAs and the call for expressions of interest is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/index.htm and www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/jwa.htm.


	UK Government invites partnership approach on waste (10/06/2008) London: Local authorities are being encouraged to form partnerships to deliver integrated, cost-effective waste services for their areas and are being invited by Environment Minister Joan Ruddock to submit expressions of interest. Powers to create Joint Waste Authorities came into force last year as part of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, the power being given following requests in response from local authorities. Joan Ruddock has written to all local authority Chief Executives with an invitation to submit a no-commitment expression of interest in applying to become a JWA. It is hoped that formal developed proposals can be submitted from Autumn 2008. Many waste disposal ans collection authorities, particularly in "two tier areas" are already working closely, though unitary authorities could also benefit from joint working to gain the economies of scale associated with the larger waste catchment areas that would result from partnership efforts. Joan Ruddock, Minister for the Environment Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) says that a report on joint working on waste by the Innovation Forum earlier highlighted the benefits of joint working in two-tier areas, citing possible efficiency savings of around £150m nationally. The report identifies one of the key barriers to joint working was the limited legal basis for joint working arrangements which can create difficulties when authorities are dealing with the private sector. Applying for creation of a formal JWA to work together should reduce such barriers to joint working. It is up to the relevant local authorities to decide whether to make a proposal for a JWA, and which types of waste function (collection, disposal and/or street cleansing) they wish to discharge through a joint waste authority. The UK Government says that the JWA option is one of a variety of partnership models currently open to local authorities with the aim of improving efficiency in wastes management and delivering efficient and effective high quality services for communities. Joan Ruddock said: "Waste is an issue which affects everyone, but local circumstances vary considerably. We want to give local authorities flexibility and choice over the solutions available to them, so they can manage waste in the way that serves their communities best. Local authorities have asked for JWAs, and they offer another voluntary option for strong partnership working with the potential to deliver joined-up, more cost-effective and efficient waste services. "For local communities, how waste is managed is quite rightly high on the list of concerns. Any JWA will be set up on a voluntary basis, will need unanimous support from the authorities involved, and will be made up of elected members from those authorities, who are fully accountable to their communities. Authorities will also need to consult locally on any proposals for a JWA. Where they are the right local solution I hope to see communities benefit from the efficiencies this kind of joint working can bring." It is anticipated that the deadline for first applications will be Spring 2009. Further information The process for applying to the Secretary of State to become a JWA is currently out for consultation (closes 9 June 2008, see ). Following the consultation, it is intended that the relevant secondary legislation will come into force in the autumn. The first formal proposals may be submitted after the legislation has been completed. Further information on partnership working, JWAs and the call for expressions of interest is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/index.htm and www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/jwa.htm.