MoreThanWaste.com - Sir Michael Lyons recommends powers to charge for domestic waste (22/03/2007)

" The Government should take new powers to allow local authorities to charge for domestic waste collection, developed in close consultation with residents and other key stakeholders"

Yesterday, Sir Michael Lyons published the final report of his independent inquiry into the role, function and funding of local government, ‘Place Shaping - A Shared Vision for the Future of Local Government’.

The report covers an extensive range of issues of which waste is a minor constituent, though the recommendation on charging for domestic waste, if adopted by Government, would have a profound effect on the management of household wastes.

It will of course have different effects on different people, particularly as households producing the larger quantities of waste will tend to be those occupied by families.

There will therefore be an issue of fairness and potential negative effects such as fly tipping to be considered, though certainly a charging policy would increase the quantities of waste recycled or composted.

Sir Michael recognises this situation and suggests that a scheme would need to be well thought through, as there is a danger that poor implementation could penalise the less well off and he also recognised issues with fly-tipping and waste ‘tourism’.

Summary of recommendations

Recommendations of the report in relation to wastes management are:

“4.24 The Government should give greater recognition to the fact that effective waste management is a shared responsibility between central and local government and consider ways to provide greater local flexibility to manage the waste stream locally (including waste production), particularly through a new power to charge for domestic waste.

“7.14 The Government should take new powers to allow local authorities to charge for domestic waste collection, developed in close consultation with residents and other key stakeholders.”

Origins of the inquiry

In July 2004, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned Sir Michael Lyons to undertake an independent inquiry to consider the case for changes to the present system of local government funding in England.

In September 2005, the government announced an extension to the scope and length of Sir Michael’s inquiry to enable him to consider issues relating to the wider functions of local government and its future role.

Further information

For further information visit the local government and communities website.


	Sir Michael Lyons recommends powers to charge for domestic waste (22/03/2007) " The Government should take new powers to allow local authorities to charge for domestic waste collection, developed in close consultation with residents and other key stakeholders" Yesterday, Sir Michael Lyons published the final report of his independent inquiry into the role, function and funding of local government, ‘Place Shaping - A Shared Vision for the Future of Local Government’. The report covers an extensive range of issues of which waste is a minor constituent, though the recommendation on charging for domestic waste, if adopted by Government, would have a profound effect on the management of household wastes. It will of course have different effects on different people, particularly as households producing the larger quantities of waste will tend to be those occupied by families. There will therefore be an issue of fairness and potential negative effects such as fly tipping to be considered, though certainly a charging policy would increase the quantities of waste recycled or composted. Sir Michael recognises this situation and suggests that a scheme would need to be well thought through, as there is a danger that poor implementation could penalise the less well off and he also recognised issues with fly-tipping and waste ‘tourism’. Summary of recommendations Recommendations of the report in relation to wastes management are: “4.24 The Government should give greater recognition to the fact that effective waste management is a shared responsibility between central and local government and consider ways to provide greater local flexibility to manage the waste stream locally (including waste production), particularly through a new power to charge for domestic waste. “7.14 The Government should take new powers to allow local authorities to charge for domestic waste collection, developed in close consultation with residents and other key stakeholders.” Origins of the inquiry In July 2004, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned Sir Michael Lyons to undertake an independent inquiry to consider the case for changes to the present system of local government funding in England. In September 2005, the government announced an extension to the scope and length of Sir Michael’s inquiry to enable him to consider issues relating to the wider functions of local government and its future role. Further information For further information visit the local government and communities website.