The purpose is to endorse the first review of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and agree its adoption.

THAT Cabinet endorse the review of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy and agree the adoption of the revised strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

1        The revised strategy represents the culmination of substantial work by the Joint Waste Resource Management Forum to update the present strategy to reflect significant changes in national policy, local policy, changing technology and progress in improving performance to date. Its formal adoption by all partner councils will show leadership and lend weight in consulting with our communities and other stakeholders.

2        Adoption of the strategy will allow Herefordshire Council to meet its obligations under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.

3        The authority is already preparing to launch its new refuse and recycling collection contract in accordance with the aims and objectives of the revised strategy. This will help meet the strategy’s combined recycling target for all councils of 43% by 2014. It is anticipated the scheme, with the support of residents, will increase the council’s recycling to 40.7% in 2013/14.

1        The Cabinet could choose not to approve the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy or could require the document to be amended.  This option would delay any progress in developing a Residual Waste Treatment solution for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Choosing not to approve the strategy would also damage Herefordshire Council’s reputation in its Partnership with Local Councils in Worcestershire.

Not applicable.