Report to: Health and Environmental Services Committee
Subject: Consultation on an Addendum & Delivery
Programme to the NI
Date:
Reporting Officer:
Contact Officer:
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1 |
Relevant Background Information |
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1.1 1.2 1.3 |
The Department of the Environment (DOE) recently issued a
consultation paper on an Addendum & Delivery Programme to the NI For
several years now, the DOE has been issuing consultation papers to cover the
introduction of new legislation, such as the EC Landfill Directive and the EC
revised Waste Framework Directive, rather than amend the 2006, “Towards Resource Management” This has resulted in a
patchwork of DOE legislation and policy and it is now felt that the time is
right to re-assess the
Strategy’s targets to collate and take account of the different requirements
of these new pieces of legislation. |
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2 |
Key Issues |
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2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 |
As part of
this consultation exercise, the DOE is also proposing that delivery is
re-focused with particular emphasis being paid to the implementation of the EC
revised Waste Framework Directives. Statutory targets, key performance
indicators and the legislative or policy requirements which will need to be
met are listed in the consultation document. This
consultation paper is also requesting that consideration be made as to
whether and how to ensure that relevant UK-wide and Members
may also care to note that the DOE has commenced a scoping exercise to
undertake a more formal review of the “Towards
Resource Management” Arc21 has
considered the details of this Addendum consultation paper and, having sought
returns from the constituent councils, a detailed response was adopted by the
Joint Committee at its last meeting on |
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3 |
Resource Implications |
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3.1 3.2 |
There are no resource implications in terms of responding to the consultation document. Should the DOE choose to adopt some of the timespans, key performance indicators, targets and outcomes which are outlined in the paper, however, there may be a consequence for the Council. |
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4 |
Equality Implications |
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4.1 |
In terms of responding to the appraisal document, there are no equality implications. |
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5 |
Recommendations |
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5.1 |
The Committee is asked to endorse the arc21 response. |
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Decision Tracking |
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The Head of |
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Key to Abbreviations |
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DOE – Department of the Environment |
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Documents Attached |
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Appendix
1 – Response to Consultation on an Addendum to the
NI Waste Strategy 2006-2020 |
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APPENDIX 1
Response to
Consultation
on an Addendum to the NI Waste Strategy 2006-2020
Introduction
arc21
is a collaborative legal public sector entity embracing eleven Councils located
along the Eastern Region of Northern Ireland which covers 25% of the land base,
populated by approximately 57% of the national population and accounts for
approximately 54% of the national municipal waste ( as currently defined)
arisings.
The
establishment of arc21 together with its functionality is enshrined in
legislation with the original provision being The Local Government
(Constituting a Joint Committee a Body Corporate) Order (NI) 2004.
In
essence, it is primarily responsible for activities associated with the
production, ongoing development and implementation of a
The
eleven constituent Councils of arc21 are Antrim Borough Council, Ards Borough
Council, Ballymena Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Castlereagh Borough
Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Down District Council, Larne Borough
Council, Lisburn City Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council and North Down
Borough Council.
Report
arc21
welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation.
Since
this consultation was initially issued and following engagement with the
Department, the situation in respect of a review of the National Waste Strategy
has become clearer. The Department have confirmed they will be conducting a
review of the National Waste Strategy and indeed the process has already
commenced through a scoping exercise which is intended to be completed in November
with a view to completing the review process by the summer 2012.
arc21
support this approach and remain committed to work closely with the Department
throughout this process. Close liaison and a constructive working relationship
between the Department and the
Given
the review process on the National Waste Strategy has now started and it is
intended to be completed within a year, arc21 would question the need to
produce a formal addendum at this stage. We believe that the review process and
continuing with progress are not mutually exclusive and do not necessarily
require an formal addendum.
In
moving forward at this juncture, emphasis and priority should be given to
progress in meeting basic statutory targets and ensuring legislative
obligations from Europe are suitably transposed. This should include building
on and complementing the progress that has been made, particularly towards in
In
previous consultation responses, arc21 have made a number of points which
remain valid in the context of this particular consultation. One example is the
consultation, conducted earlier this year, on a new Recycling Policy and in
particular;
·
The development of any policy should not be taken in
isolation but should form part of a more holistic process.
·
Development of policy should be based on a comprehensive
suite of evidence including the crucial component relating to economical
considerations incorporating cost/benefit analysis which includes consideration
of the prevailing situation.
·
The inclusion in the interpretation of recycling of the
appropriate use of key output materials from major strategic waste in
·
No individual council specific recycling targets should be
set.
·
Targets should be set at a regional level.
·
Recycling Targets should be aspirational with no statutory
basis.
·
The principle of developing incentives and sanctions is
accepted but the detail needs to be developed as part of the wider holistic
process suggested.
·
Early Government financial support is likely to be required.
·
There should be a major focus on other sectors e.g.
Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction, Demolition and Excavation
(CD&E);
·
Significant work on data provision is required particularly
in relation to C&I waste and to CD&E waste.
The
results of this consultation have yet to be published and although the addendum
makes some reference to this specific issue, no further meaningful information
is provided. In fact the addendum, on page 1 of table 1, alludes towards
“Potential Further Requirements” without further clarity. This may be viewed as
not being particularly constructive at this stage.
In
closing, arc21 support the commencement of the National Waste Strategy Review
process which would appear to negate any
pressing need for an addendum to the existing National Waste Strategy and to move forward through consolidation and
reinforcement of the progress made so far.
________
arc21
September 2011