Agenda and minutes

9:30

Please contact Julie Dean (Tel: 01865 815322) to give apologies and advise of attendance by the named Deputy Member.

Councillor Mark Lygo substituted for Councillor John Tanner and Jo Wines for Lee Horrocks (Environment Agency).

Councillor David Harvey declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6, Oxfordshire 2030 Targets (paragraph 14) on account of his position as a board member of USEA (United Sustainable Energy Agency).

Councillor James McNamara declared a personal interest in joint Agenda Item 8 – Waste Development Framework – on account of his membership of the Board of Oxfordshire’s St. John’s Ambulance  service, part of whose voluntary duty is to collect and deliver clinical waste.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment Partnership Committee held on  28 October 2011 (Minute 59/11 – 62/11 inclusive) (EP3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the 28 October 2011 meeting of the Environment Partnership were approved (Minute Numbers 59/11 to 62/11 inclusive).

9:35

Linda Watson, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) will give a presentation updating the Partnerships on their Community Bulk Buying scheme and the TOE2 Wood Fuel projects.

Linda Watson, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) gave a presentation updating the Partnerships on their Community Bulk Buying scheme and the TOE2 Wood Fuel projects.

Mrs Watson was congratulated for ORCC’s work relating to the TOE2 Wood Fuel project and was offered help and support from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC). Councillor Harvey pointed out the scarcity of biomass boilers within the County, a vital ingredient of the project, adding that WODC, when giving grants to schools, youth centres etc, were encouraging their use.

Linda Watson was thanked for her presentation.

10:00

The report (EP5) recommends a form of reporting to Partnership members on energy/carbon reduction and climate change adaptation work within each organisation in order to support the work and share good practice.

The Environment Partnership is RECOMMENDED to agree the proposed process for reporting progress in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and for sharing practice as set out in paragraphs 4 to 7 of the report.

The Environment Partnership had before them a report (EP5) which recommended a form of reporting to Partnership members on energy/carbon  reduction and climate change adaptation work within each organisation, in order to support the work and to share good practice.

The Environment Partnership AGREED the proposed process for reporting progress in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and for sharing practice, as set out in paragraphs 4 – 7 of the report.

10:10

This item updates members of the Environment Partnership on the current situation and proposes some amendments prior to a report to the Oxfordshire Partnership meeting in the spring (EP6).

The Environment Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the activities outlined in this report, and agree additions and/or amendments as proposed in paragraphs 3, 4, 6, 11 and 17.

The Environment had before them a report (EP6) which gave an update on the current situation with regard to the Oxfordshire 2030 targets, and which proposed some amendments prior to the submission of a report to the Oxfordshire Partnership in the Spring 2012.

The Environment Partnership AGREED to note the activities outlined in the report, and to agree the additions and/or amendments as proposed in paragraphs 3,4,6,11 and 17; together with the following additions which were agreed at the meeting:

• Priority 1 (paragraph 3)– progress on the target relating to Suds (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) be also reported to a future meeting of the Environment Partnership;
• Priority 4 (paragraph 19) – to support, in principle, the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment’s £300k TOE Community Woodfuels project which aims to help develop the woodfuel market in Oxfordshire via community education and potentially woodfuel cooperatives which will provide the stimulus for increased woodland management;
• Priority 4 (paragraph 18) – to report to a future meeting of the Partnership on the Natural Environment White Paper and to circulate to Partnership members further information with regard to the Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) bids which were based on Oxfordshire’s Conservation Target Areas – focused on the Upper Thames Tributaries and Chilterns Chalk Scarps.

There were no requests to make an address or to submit a petition.

10:20

Peter Day, Oxfordshire County Council, will provide an update on the development of the Waste  Core Strategy document.

Peter Day, Minerals & Waste Policy Team Leader, Oxfordshire County Council gave a presentation updating the Partnership on the development of the Waste Core Strategy document. At the close of the presentation, a question and answer session was held.

In response to a question about the quantity of waste being imported into the County, Mr Day responded that 2 – 300k tonnes per annum was currently being imported from the London area, together with 450k tonnes from elsewhere in the Country. He pointed out that the Plan made provisions for a reduction of the London intake at the rate of approximately 50k per annum with the aim of eliminating it by 2021.

Councillor David Dodds expressed the view that the 30 mile round trip to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, Redbridge, was ‘unreasonable’ for some of his residents living in the South Oxfordshire area.

Councillor David Harvey expressed his disappointment that the presentation had not focussed on the future plans for mineral/gravel extraction. He added his grave concerns that West Oxfordshire would be providing most of the gravel/mineral extraction for the County and that this would have a disadvantageous impact on the environment. He urged, therefore, that a good deal of thought be put into landscaping should this occur and asked for assurance that the residents of West Oxfordshire would be informed of the consultation proposals. Mr Day reassured him that public consultation would take place on the draft Waste/Minerals Strategy, adding that full and detailed consideration would be given to all representations received from local residents and businesses as well as from statutory consultees.

Councillor James MacNamara expressed the hope that there would be some ‘joined up thinking’ between Planning  and Waste policies to ensure that recycled waste was being used and to enable local access points for its disposal, particularly the disposal of small quantities of hazardous waste. Mr Day responded by emphasising the need for the County Council Planning officers to work closely with their District Council colleagues. Mr Pau endorsed this, adding that the role of the Development Framework was to set out a broad strategy only.

Peter Day was thanked for his presentation.

10:40

Tim Knight and Richard Pollard of Groundwork Thames Valley, will provide an update on the Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme.

Richard Pollard of Groundwork Thames Valley gave a presentation updating the Partnerships on the Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme.

He undertook to circulate the names of the eight school ‘hubs’ to all members of the Partnerships.

Richard Pollard was thanked for his presentation.

11:00

The Partnerships are RECOMMENDED to agree  a set of Forward Plans as set out at EP/OWP10.

The Partnership Agreed a set of Forward Plans for both Partnerships, as set out at EP/OWP10.

11:05

To note and agree arrangements for the organisation of the Partnerships for the next two years (EP/OWP11).

The Partnerships are RECOMMENDED to note that the hand-over of the role of OWP Host Authority and chair of the Environment Partnership to South Oxfordshire District Council will take place with effect from the June 2012 meeting and to agree the meeting dates for 2012/13 and 2013/14.

The Partnerships were asked to note that the hand-over of the role of OWP Host Authority and  Chair of the Environment Partnership to South Oxfordshire District Council would take place with effect from the June 2012 meeting (OWP11) They were also asked to agree the meeting dates for 2012/13 and 2013/14 as follows:

22 June 2012

26 October 2012

18 January 2013

29 March 2013

21 June 2013

The Partnerships noted and AGREED the arrangements for the next two years, with the exception that the meeting  date proposed for 29 March 2013 be amended to 22 March 2013.

Please contact Julie Dean (Tel: 01865 815322) to give apologies and advise of attendance by the named Deputy Member).

As at Agenda Item 1.

As at Agenda Item 2.

11:05

To approve the minutes of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Joint Committee held on 28 October 2011 (Minutes 64/11 to 74/11 inclusive) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 October (Minutes 64/11 – 74/11 inclusive) were approved and signed.

Matters Arising

Minute 73/11 – Financial Incentives for Weekly Bin Collections - Responses from Bob Neil MP and Nicola Blackwood MP were circulated. It was decided to request the officers to respond to accord with the vein of the discussion at this meeting, once the details of the incentives had been published.

Minute 74/11 – External Audit Findings – 2010/11 – a letter from the Chairman to External Audit, requesting further clarification and challenging the qualification, was circulated for information.

11:05

The report considers a draft refresh of the Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for public consultation (OWP15).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to approve the Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy consultation document and draft action plan, included at Appendix 1a and 1b, for public consultation.

The Waste Partnership had before them a draft refresh of the Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for public consultation (OWP15).

Wayne Lewis reported that the Oxfordshire Chief Executives Group had requested that the Partnership defer approval of the draft consultation document to allow further negotiation around the level of the recycling and composting targets. The District Council members each concurred with this request.

Paul Mocroft undertook to send out a press release to publicise the excellent performance statistics for recycling waste around the county.

It was AGREED to note the Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy document and draft action plan and to approve its content and strategic delivery aspects in principle, subject to further negotiation around the level of the recycling and composting targets; and that it be brought back to a future meeting of the Partnership.

11:20

The report (OWP16) seeks approval to enter into a funding agreement with ReMade South East for the delivery of a pilot food waste recycling collection service for small and medium size enterprises in Oxford.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to agree to enter into the funding agreement with Remade South East and that Oxfordshire County Council (as the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Host Authority) signs the agreement on behalf of Oxfordshire Waste Partnership.

The Partnership considered a report (OWP16) which sought approval to the entry into a funding agreement with Remade South East for the delivery of a pilot food waste recycling collection service for small and medium enterprises in Oxford.

It was AGREED that the Partnership should enter into the funding agreement with Remade South East and Oxfordshire County Council (acting as the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership host authority) should sign the agreement on behalf of the Waste Partnership; and that the Waste Partnership be kept informed of progress.

11:30

The report provides an update on financial arrangements payments to date (OWP17).

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

The Waste Partnership had before them a report which provided an update on financial arrangements to date (OWP17).

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership noted the financial arrangements payments, as set out in Appendix 1 and the forecast year end adjustment figures, as set out in Appendix 2.

11:35

A quarterly update on the performance of Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is provided at OWP18.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to note the report and that an update on NIF funded projects be considered at the next meeting of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership.

The Waste Partnership had before them the quarterly update on performance (OWP18).

West Oxfordshire District Council reported that they were experiencing a significant reduction in fly tipping as a consequence of a marked rise in successful prosecutions. Paul Mocroft further reported that good relationships were being established with private landowners in an endeavour to crack down on this problem. Jo Wines pointed out also that the Environment Agency were working with the Government on an initiative to tackle metal thefts in the south east area.

Matt Prosser reported that South and Vale District Councils were still in negotiation with DEFRA to reopen the waste data flow statistics for 2011/12 with regard to the reported reject rate of dry recyclables, adding that Vale and South were leading the national recycling tables.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership AGREED to note the report and to request that an update on NIF funded projects be submitted for consideration at the next meeting.

11:40

The report (OWP19) updates the Partnership on the progress of the Residual Waste Treatment Procurement project and the related bulking and haulage procurement.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)   note and support the progress made on the residual waste treatment project; and

(b)  support the procurement of a bulking and haulage contract for the efficient delivery of waste to the Ardley EfW facility.

The Waste Partnership had before them a report (OWP19) which gave an update on the progress of the Residual Waste Treatment Procurement project and the related bulking and haulage procurement.

Andrew Pau offered to organise for members of the Partnership to visit an Energy from Waste facility.

Partnership members put forward the following concerns:

-           that close consideration be given to the routing arrangements around the site. Andrew Pau commented that routing agreements were already in place as part of the planning permission and that CCTV cameras had been installed and were monitoring the entry and exit routes. Councillor Macnamara asked for Parish Councils to be kept informed of arrangements;

-           the potential added costs to councils and Oxfordshire taxpayers of bulking arrangements. Historically both bulking and waste facilities had been available on the existing district council depot sites;

-           the cost of staffing and could it be avoided? Andrew Pau responded that the competitive procurement process for the bulking and haulage contract could not be short-circuited, however OCC were encouraging good, value for money proposals and the project team was made up of internal staff with good district council representation.

It was AGREED to:

(a)   note and support the progress made on the residual waste treatment project;

(b)   support the procurement of a bulking and haulage contract for the efficient delivery of waste to the Ardley EfW facility; and

(c)   make a visit to an energy from waste facility, subject to prior commitments.