DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (81/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 17 March 2008
Neighbouring local
authorities, working together, could deliver better integrated and
cost-effective waste services, a consultation paper published
today outlines.
Any group of two or more authorities will be able to apply to the
Government to voluntarily transfer waste collection, disposal,
and/or street cleansing functions to a Joint Waste Authority
(JWA). The consultation paper details options for how JWAs will
work and asks for views on what the proposals should contain.
Climate Change and Waste Minister, Joan Ruddock, said:
"Joint working on waste is becoming increasingly important,
to help authorities to invest in new, sustainable waste facilities
more cost effectively. Authorities are already developing
innovative ways of working with their neighbours to improve their
waste services.
"Joint waste authorities can provide local authorities with
an additional option for working together - one that will allow
them to put their partnership on a statutory footing."
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
included powers to allow the establishment of Joint Waste
Authorities; these will be governed by elected members of their
constituent authorities. Joint Waste Authorities will be voluntary
and would only be created with agreement of all authorities concerned.
Government introduced the powers in response to requests from
local authorities. It will be up to elected members for any
particular area to decide whether they wish to establish a JWA for
their area, and they will be required to consult local people
about any such proposals.
Notes
1. A report on joint working on waste by the Innovation Forum (a
group of high-performing authorities) highlighted the benefits of
joint working in two-tier areas, citing possible efficiency
savings of around £150m nationally. However, one of the key
barriers to joint working identified in the report was the limited
legal basis for joint working arrangements which can create
difficulties when authorities are dealing with the private sector.
Allowing authorities the option to apply for creation of a formal
JWA should reduce such barriers to joint working.
2. Joint waste authorities will be new legal bodies established
by secondary legislation (an Order). They can only be dissolved
in limited circumstances: where all the constituent authorities
agree to do so or where the Secretary of State consider it is necessary.
3. One of the key advantages that JWAs offer over other types of
partnership is that they will be able to employ staff directly and
can enter into contracts with third parties (in other forms of
waste partnership models one of the member authorities has to take
on this role on behalf of the other authorities).
4. Further information on partnership working on waste and JWAs
can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/index.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/jwa.htm
5. Funding of £500,000 for 2008/09 has been secured to help
interested local authorities to develop proposals for JWAs.
Details of how this funding will be distributed will be posted on
Defra's website in due course, in the meantime interested
authorities should contact Defra at LAWFG@defra.gsi.gov.uk
6. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
can be accessed at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills/200607/local_government_and_public_involvement_in_health.htm
7. Responses to the consultation should be submitted by Monday 9
June 2008 to LAWFG@defra.gsi.gov.uk. The consultation papers can
be accessed at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/jwa/
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
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