Agenda item

Report and appendices attached

Cabinet considered the Formal Adoption of the East London Joint Resources and Waste Strategy report presented by Barry Francis, Director of Neighbourhoods.

It was explained in the report that as Waste Collection Authorities (WCAs) the London Borough of Havering and the other 3 constituent Boroughs of the East London Waste Authority (ELWA) (Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Redbridge – the ‘Constituent Councils) collect household and other waste that was subsequently treated and/or disposed of by ELWA as the Joint Waste Disposal Authority (JWDA).

ELWA and its Constituent Councils were statutorily required to produce a Joint Strategy for East London’s Resources and Waste (“Joint Strategy”) to replace the existing strategy which was expiring.

The new Joint Strategy was developed in close cooperation between officers and Members of the Constituent Councils (Appendix 1).

The context around the Constituent Councils delivering waste management services was subject to considerable change over coming years, with changes to national waste policy, obligations through the London Environment Strategy (LES), and the ending of ELWA’s current treatment contract in 2027 with the need to develop successor arrangements.

The Preliminary Draft of the Joint Strategy was agreed by Cabinet in July 2021, and was then subject to public consultation for eight weeks to September 2021 to understand the public opinion on its priorities and actions. The results of this were provided in Appendix 2. Future service changes would be subject to consultation as appropriate in line with statutory obligations.

Barry Francis explained that the strategy that was developed for 30 year ends in 2027. The report further outlined targets, priorities and actions. However, financial implications and funding were not proposed at this stage.

Members commented that this was a timely report due to the work on-going within the internal management of public realm and contract renewal. Concerns of costs were raised and Barry Francis confirmed that regular review points within contracts would be considered.

The Leader also suggested that an incoming training program would be required for incoming Councillors after the election.

Cabinet:

AGREED to approve the adoption of the East London Joint Resources and Waste Strategy (Joint Strategy).