Agenda item

Councillor Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment, introduced the report

The London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham and Redbridge had prepared a Joint Waste Development Plan Document (DPD) which was to be part of the Local Development Framework(s) for the respective boroughs.  Preparation of the Joint Waste DPD built on the strong partnership agreement which the four Councils already had with the East London Waste Authority (ELWA) for managing municipal solid waste and which covered the geographical extent of the four boroughs.  The main purpose of the Joint Waste DPD was to ensure there was sufficient waste management capacity across the four boroughs to manage the apportionment set by the London Plan (2011) for municipal and commercial and industrial waste.

Following Member approval within each of the boroughs, the Joint Waste DPD had been through appropriate consultation in line with the Town and Country Planning Regulations and had been independently examined by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.  The Planning Inspectorate had now approved the Joint Waste DPD, subject to a number of binding changes, which did not significantly alter the Plan.  Formal adoption of the Plan was now recommended.

The other boroughs were progressing adoption in parallel with Havering.

Reasons for the decision:

Section 23(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 required that a Development Plan Document should be adopted by resolution of the authority (Council).  This was the course of action that officers recommend that Cabinet take for the Joint Waste DPD.

Other options considered:

The Council could choose not to adopt the Joint Waste DPD.  However, Cabinet previously approved the pre-submission version of the plan and officers considered that the changes recommended by the Inspector did not alter it significantly.

The matter was discussed in some detail with Members being informed that Havering was making improvements in its overall level of recycling and by handling waste and recyclable material separately, landfill could be kept to a minimum and a higher proportion of recyclable material captured.  Some waste material (for example: metals) resulted in a healthy return whilst other materials realised very little remuneration – but could often be put to other uses.  Overall, the position was good and the future, positive.

Cabinet RECOMMENDED:

That the Joint Waste Development Plan Document, incorporating the Inspector’s recommended changes (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the subordinate legislation made thereunder.