Planning Context
The Government’s policy on waste planning (National Planning Policy for Waste, 2014), which sits alongside the National Planning Policy Framework, states:
“Waste is a strategic issue which can be addressed effectively through close co-operation between waste planning authorities and other local planning authorities and public bodies to ensure a suitable and sustainable network of waste management facilities is in place.”
It goes on to set out actions that constitute effective cooperation under the Duty to Cooperate.

Purpose of the WMRTAB Statement of Common Ground (SoCG)
The WMRTAB SoCG, at Appendix A, endorses the principal that members of the WMRTAB group will work together on strategic matters that are of larger than local significance. This includes:
• setting the context for plan making and monitoring at the local level;
• sharing of expertise in waste related matters;
• informing, involving and consulting each other on waste plans and developments relating to waste management in the West Midlands; and
• monitoring and waste management and planning trends.

To add full value, in terms of the Duty to Cooperate, the RTAB’s role should be formally recognised by the member waste planning authorities (and preferably by others to whom the duty to cooperate applies) through the SoCG, which also includes the WMRTAB’s terms of reference.

The SoCG sets the protocol (as originally produced by the Chairs of regional Waste Technical Advisory Bodies), which RTAB member authorities will follow when establishing the need for cooperation.

Next Steps
The WMRTAB SoCG has been sent to members for signatures. Once all are received, the SoCG will solidify the role of the WMRTAB in assisting member waste planning authorities in ensuring compliance with the statutory Duty to Cooperate on waste planning matters.

Appendix A: West Midlands Resource Technical Advisory Body Statement of Common Ground (September 2022).