Witnesses:
Katelyn Symington, Principal
Planning Policy Officer
Paul Sanderson, Minerals &
Waste Policy Team Manager
Mike Goodman, Cabinet Member
for Environment and Planning
Declarations of interest:
None
Key
points raised during the discussion:
- The Minerals &
Waste Policy Team Manager introduced the report and outlined that
the current waste plan was adopted in 2008 and was in need of
review to cover the period from 2018 to 2033.
- As the Waste Planning
Authority it was Surrey County Council’s responsibility to
create a new waste plan, which would be adopted from 2018
onwards.
- Members were
presented with a presentation (Annex 1) where Officers touched upon
the issues, draft vision and objectives of the Surrey Waste Local
Plan Issues and Options consultation results, which ran for a 12
week period.
- It was noted that no
sites were included at this particular stage and the plan included
all types of waste streams such as municipal, commercial and
industrial and construction and demolition.
- Officers were queried
on the elimination of landfill waste, in terms of reducing it to
nothing. Officers responded that it
would be more specialist going forward, and likely to be seen as a
regional resource rather than local, as there will be less waste
being sent to landfill. The Chairman indicated that it would be
beneficial to look upon Hampshire’s approach who for the last
10 years have paid zero landfill tax for its municipal
waste.
- A Member raised
concern with contamination in recyclable waste and raising
awareness to educate the public on this issue. The Officer shared
the view that there was lack of understanding and also problems
accessing information regarding this. Members were assured that
comments had been passed on to the Waste Disposal Authority (WDA)
to resolve this.
- The Cabinet Member
for Environment and Planning shared the view that there was a big
issue with contamination, where waste was rejected as a result of
this. Although a campaign on contamination had been carried out,
Members were advised more work was essential to reduce this and
working with schools and the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP)
would help alleviate this.
- The Board were
informed that WRAP were the organisation used by Government to
advise on waste and having links with them continues to
advantageous.
- There was a
discussion around Brexit and the impact
this may have on the future of waste plans. Officers reported that
there was uncertainty going forward and that certain risks would be
involved. However at this stage the Board were advised the service
would continue to carry on as normal until any legislative
changes.
- Officers were asked
whether on a national level, the issue of packaging would be
reviewed in terms of generating less waste going forward. The
Officer informed the Board that the WDA were working on this and
had representatives on the packaging Board. At a local level SCC is taking accountability by
looking at trends and making changes where necessary.
- It was noted that
Surrey was innovative. Examples to illustrate this included having
the best recycling rates with Surrey Heath being ranked third in
the country with 64%. The Cabinet Member for Environment and
Planning also commended the work of the Surrey Waste Partnership on
its new innovative approach.
- In terms of business waste, Officers reported that
they are trying to engage directly with businesses and discuss
their objectives and views in taking responsibility for waste. The
Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning emphasised the point
that businesses should take more responsibility and was keen to
work with WRAP to protect the environment. It was noted that there
was a low response rate from businesses in the recent waste plan
consultation.
- With regards to construction and demolition waste,
Members were informed a lot of this waste was recycled on
development sites, since this made economic sense. Such inert waste
could also be positively used to help restore mineral
workings.
- A Member referred to the current move to mixed
kerbside recycling facilities asking whether there was any evidence
to show how successful this has been. The Cabinet Member for
Environment and Planning reported that Surrey Heath used commingle
recycling facilities and this was the way forward for councils, It
was noted that separate containers would make the process
complex.
- Furthermore, a Member requested whether a statement
in relation to recycling could be provided since charges have been
introduced at CRC’s. Officers informed the Board this
information would be collated by the WDA and could be available to
Members at a later date.
- It was explained that
although the new plan would be from 2018-33, it would in all
probability not formally be adopted until 2019. Officers would look
at this but reassured Members that by 2018 a draft plan would be
well advanced and would be given increased weight in decision
making as it neared formal adoption.
- It was stated that
the consultation had included text which could be perceived as
misleading. In particular the ‘zero waste to landfill’
which a Member explained could be over looked by the public in
terms of actually representing energy to waste initiatives. It was
suggested that the wording in the consultation be amended and
tested with members of the public.
Recommendations
The
Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board:
a. Noted the results
of the Issues and Options Consultation related to the preparation
of the new SWLP.
b. Noted the summary
report that sets out the responses to the Issues and Options
Consultation (Annexe 1).
Actions:
None