Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment Partnership Committee held on 22 October 2010 (EP3). Please note that you are required to approve Minute numbers 45/10 – 52/10 inclusive.

The Minutes relating to the meeting of the Environment Partnership, which met on 22 October 2010 (EP3) were approved.

9:35 am

Oral update on proposals and timescale for reporting on work being completed under the LAA2 agreement.

Susie Ohlenschlager gave an oral update on timescales for reporting on LAA2 indicators:

• NI 188 – there was now no requirement to report to government on these indicators. The indicators were under review and were currently the subject of discussion by a local authority working group;
• Targets had been set for the LAA2 – she proposed the submission of an end of year report;
• The data for NI185 would not be available until July this year.

Members of the Environment Partnership noted the report AGREED to request officers to submit an end of year report for LAA2.

There were no requests to submit a petition or to give a public address.

9.40 am

This paper (OWP6) sets out some ideas as the basis for a discussion about the role of the Partnership in the contaxt of recent national and local changes, in particular the abolition of national indicators and LAAs, budget cuts and the review of partnerships, which affect the delivery of our partnership work.

Members of the Environment Partnership and the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership are RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              Review the aims and ambitions for the environment and climate change priorities over which the Environment and Waste Partnerships have the greatest influence; and

(b)              Investigate opportunities for alignment of the Environment Partnership with the Local Economic Partnership (LEP).

The Partnerships considered a paper (OWP6) which set out some ideas as a basis for a discussion about the role of the Environment Partnership in the context of recent national and local changes, in particular the abolition of national indicators and LAAs, budget cuts and the current review of partnerships which is taking place, all of which affect the delivery of future partnership work.

Jan Deacon, Chair of the Oxfordshire Climate Network attended the meeting, by invitation, in order to contribute to the discussion. She commented that the future was indeed uncertain although some organisations such as OxCan (Oxfordshire Climate Action Network) had been successful in initiating some ‘joined up’ thinking with regard to the climate change agenda across the county.

Views expressed at the meeting were as follows:

• The approach of the Partnership should be practical – it is the role of the Environment Partnership to try to reduce the energy costs and carbon footprints for the residents in the districts of Oxfordshire. It is hoped that the Committee could co-ordinate this. However, if other organisations are doing this better, then they should be allowed to do it;
• It could be very beneficial to have business-led organisations involved in the ongoing work on reducing carbon footprints. Learning is a two-way process. For example, it was hoped that the partnership work with local businesses with regard to the reduction of energy costs being practised by Oxford City Council would be picked up by other areas;
• The Partnership landscape was changing, but no firm decisions as to the future had been made at this point;
• There is a significant amount of overlapping work being undertaken between the County Council and the District Councils which could be addressed. For example, the economic work being undertaken by West Oxfordshire District Council with estates such as Ditchley Park, and Blenheim and Wychwood forests for wood and energy source, might produce outlets such as supplying wood burning boilers in the schools. A further example might be the work being undertaken by TOE on wood fuel across the county;
• There are a number of small groups doing some very good work and some coordination and assistance might lead to better funding. Where there are opportunities, make them work.

Members of the Environment Partnership and the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to:

(a)               Review the aims and ambitions for the environment and climate change priorities over which the Environment and Waste Partnerships have the greatest influence; and

(b)               Investigate opportunities for alignment of the Environment Partnership with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

10.10 am

To approve the minutes of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Joint Committee held on  22 October 2010 (Minute numbers 28/10 – 44/10 inclusive) (OWP7(a)) and of the special meeting held on 17 December 2010 (OWP7(b)).

The Minutes of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Joint Committees held on 22 October 2010 and 17 December 2010 were approved.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

10.10 am

To present a revised draft Waste Prevention Strategy for adoption (OWP10).

Appendix 1 – draft Waste Prevention Strategy 2010 – 2020.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to adopt the draft Strategy as set out at Appendix 1 and to agree that it becomes part of its Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS)

A revised draft Waste Prevention Strategy was presented for adoption (OWP10).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to adopt the draft Strategy as set out at Appendix 1 and to agree that it becomes part of its Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS)

10.20 am

To provide an update on financial arrangements payments for the year to date and to set out a current estimate for the year end adjustment payment (OWP11).

Appendix 1 – Financial Arrangements Payments 2010/11

Appendix 2 – Financial Arrangements Residual Waste Allowances.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the financial arrangements payments, as set out in Appendix 1, and also to note the forecast year end adjustment figures, as set out in Appendix 2.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership had before them an update on financial arrangements payments for the year to date and to set out a current estimate for the year end adjustment payment (OWP11).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to note the financial arrangements payments, as set out in Appendix 1, and also to note theforecast year end adjustment figures, as set out in Appendix 2.

10.20 am

To provide a quarterly update on the performance of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP12).

Appendix 1 – Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy – Action Plan 2010/11 – 2012/13

Appendix 2 – Budget Statement

Appendix 3 – NIF Projects

Appendix 4 – National Indicator Performance 2010/11

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the report and approve the revised project completion dates proposed in Section 2.2 (relating to websites review and production of an online reuse guide).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership had before them a quarterly update on the performance of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP12).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to note the report and approve the revised project completion dates proposed in Section 2.2 (relating to websites review and production of an online reuse guide).

10.30 am

To update the Waste Partnership on progress in relation to the residual Waste Treatment Procurement Project (OWP13).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note and support the progress made on the procurement of residual waste treatment.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership had before them an update on progress in relation to the residual Waste Treatment Procurement Project (OWP13).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to note and support the progress made on the procurement of residual waste treatment.

(Cllr John Tanner noted only).

10.35 am

To update the Waste Partnership on progress in relation to the treatment of food waste  (OWP14).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to demonstrate support for the treatment of food waste within Oxfordshire.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership were updated on progress in relation to the treatment of food waste within Oxfordshire (OWP14) and were asked to indicate whether they still required reports in the future on a regular basis.

The Partnership AGREED to:

(a)               note its success to date and to wish the scheme well; and

(b)               request the officers to submit updates when there was new information to report and, in any case, to submit an annual report on the scheme to include statistics on how much food waste had been treated and, of that, how much electricity had been generated.

10.40 am

To provide a further update (OWP15) on the new waste and recycling collection services recently introduced by Partner Councils.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is asked to note the new collection schemes and the good progress being made towards the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS) recycling and composting targets.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership were given a further update (OWP15) on the new waste and recycling collection services recently introduced by Partner Councils.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership noted the new collection schemes and the good progress being made towards the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS) recycling and composting targets.

10.50 am

To provide an update (OWP16) on recent progress on improving communications and joint working with Atkins, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Highways contractor, on the litter picking and grass cutting of fast roads.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED:

(a)              that further clarification is sought from OCC Highways on the reduced provision for highways verge grass cutting in 2011/12; and

(b)              whatever the grass cutting programme may be in 2011/12, that both OCC Highways and the Waste Collection Authorities (WCA’s) be asked to maintain the excellent recent progress in joint working in this area as far as possible.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership considered an update (OWP16) on recent progress on improving communications and joint working with Atkins, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Highways contractor, on the litter picking and grass cutting of fast roads.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED the following:

(a)               that further clarification is sought from OCC Highways on the reduced provision for highways verge grass cutting in 2011/12; and

(b)               whatever the grass cutting programme may be in 2011/12, that both OCC Highways and the Waste Collection Authorities (WCA’s) be asked to maintain the excellent recent progress in joint working in this area as far as possible.

11.00 am

To report the outcomes of New Initiatives Fund(NIF) projects completed to date (OWP17).

Appendix 1 – NIF Projects.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the report and to give consideration as to whether any further feedback is required on NIF projects completed to date.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership were asked note the outcomes of the  New Initiatives Fund (NIF) projects completed to date(OWP17) and to give consideration as to whether further feedback was required on those completed to date.

It was AGREED to note the report and to request future reports on the effectiveness of the litterbin partitions between recyclables and mixed waste, together with a report on the steps taken to reduce cigarette litter.

11.10 am

County Council, at their meeting on 14 September 2010, considered a report on ‘Partnership Working in Oxfordshire.’ In response to a question from Councillor Alan Armitage, Councillor Ian Hudspeth undertook to include an item on supermarket waste reduction on an agenda for a future meeting of this Committee.

To provide an update on supermarket waste reduction, including progress made on reducing the quantity and weight of packaging (OWP18).

The Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the progress made nationally with regard to supermarket waste reduction and Oxfordshire Waste Partnership’s continued role and involvement where appropriate, including highlighting packaging issues within existing promotional and education campaigns.

County Council, at their meeting on 14 September 2010, considered a report on ‘Partnership Working in Oxfordshire.’ In response to a question from Councillor Alan Armitage, Councillor Ian Hudspeth had undertaken     to include an item on supermarket waste reduction on an agenda for a future meeting of this Committee.

To provide an update on supermarket waste reduction, including progress made on reducing the quantity and weight of packaging (OWP18).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to note the progress made nationally with regard to supermarket waste reduction and Oxfordshire Waste Partnership’s continued role and involvement where appropriate, including highlighting packaging issues within existing promotional and education campaigns.

11.25 pm

To provide information on the draft Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Strategy (OWP19).

Members of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership are asked to provide feedback on the draft Strategy.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership were asked to provide feedback on the draft Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Strategy (OWP19).

The District Council members of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) put forward a number of views. These included:

• That Oxfordshire County Council had not consulted with the OWP with regard to the proposed closure of the HWRCs as part of OCC’s budget proposals;
• Disappointment that people may have to drive long distances to access facilities following closure of the Centres, particularly those living in rural areas. There was also a possibility that there would be an increase in fly tipping as a result of this;
• There should be more emphasis placed on education of the public, rather than prosecution;
• It was of the utmost importance for the County Council to communicate their plans for closure to the public, to avoid the District Councils receiving the complaints;
• Concerns about the proposed restriction of residual waste disposal to the new Kidlington site only;
• It was hoped that the County Council would look again at reopening the Redbridge Centre to the public; and
• The proposals would impose costs on the district councils and therefore on households.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth pointed out that closure of the Redbridge Centre would not take place until the Kidlington Centre had been completed, adding that it was very much a phased approach. He took on board the need for adequate communication with regard to the plans, also adding that fly tipping had now been made illegal and that the County Council would be working with the District Councils to ensure that bulky waste tipping facilities would be made available. He also pointed out that the proposals had formed part of the Scrutiny Committee papers which had been considered on 20 December and which were in the public domain on 13 December.

Andrew Pau stated that he respected the opinions expressed by the District Councils and placed great value on the Waste Partnership and had taken great care to raise the proposals for closure at the Officer Strategy Group (OSG). A special meeting of the OSG had taken place in December for all authorities to discuss their budget savings. Discussions at that meeting had led to the paper which was before the Partnership. He added the following points:

• The efficiency savings which were having to be made by the County Council were very extensive;
• The draft Household Waste Recycling Centre Strategy would be subject to wider consultation which may lead to changes to its proposed implementation;
• It was recognised that a large amount of waste in the HWRC’s was recyclable and compostable. The County Council were keen, as District Councils had been, to actively encourage people to separate their wastes and to put materials in the right containers; and
• Full implementation of the Strategy would not take place until 2015.

Wayne Lewis added that:

• There were progressive elements to the new proposed Strategy, such as moving some of the rural sites nearer to the larger centres of population;
• It had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76/10

The Partnership noted that it was Hannah Jones’s last meeting, thanked her for her hard work and wished her well for the future.