The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has
launched a new inquiry into the implications of the Resources and
Waste Strategy for England on local authorities.
In December 2018, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs launched the Resources and Waste Strategy setting out how
the country can minimise waste, promote resource efficiency and
move towards a circular economy. The strategy touches on a number
of functions that are the responsibility of local authorities
including food waste collection and recycling for households and
businesses.
The new inquiry will look at the financial implications of the
proposals for local authorities to meet increased standards for
waste management. It will also consider how appropriate a
standardised approach to waste services will be, or if there are
benefits for allowing a degree of local flexibility. The
Committee will also investigate how joint-working between layers
of local government with responsibility for waste can be
improved.
Launching the inquiry, Committee Chair MP said:
“It is important that there is a comprehensive strategy to
increase the levels of recycling. But ahead of placing greater
responsibilities on local authorities we must first look at their
ability to meet them. With budgets shrinking, and acute
challenges elsewhere, is there capacity to tackle increased
demands on waste services?
“We will also be looking at how appropriate a one-size-fits-all
approach will be, and if there would be benefits to allowing
local authorities some flexibility to meet the specific waste
challenges in their area.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is inviting submissions on:
- What the
financial implications are for local authorities of the
Government’s Waste Strategy.
- What the
likely effects will be on the recycling rates of local
authorities.
- How provisions
in the strategy may affect existing contracts for waste
collection and disposal.
- Should waste
services be standardised across England or should there continue
to be flexibilities for local authorities.
- What the
opportunities are for closer joint-working between authorities,
particularly in two-tier areas.
The deadline for written submissions is 26 April
2019. Submissions can be made on the Committee’s
website here.
