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Waste event at Westminster: A Lively Debate

Date: Friday 27/11/09

Lords, MPs, Councillors and Waste Professionals Discuss Partnership Working at Westminster

On Wednesday 25th November, Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE) and the Association of Sustainable Resources Parliamentary Group (ASRPG) held an event at Westminster for parliamentarians, Lords, councillors and representatives from the third and private sectors with an interest in waste resource management.

 

Councillor Paul Bettison, Chairman of IESE’s member board and leader of Bracknell Forest Council chaired a panel of distinguished speakers. Dr Caroline Jackson, former MEP and expert on waste management, Peter Jones OBE, Mayor of London’s advisor and former Biffa Director, Jean Venebles OBE, President of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Dr Alan Whitehead MP, co-chair of the ASRPG and Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, and Sheila Wheeler, Chief Executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council took part in the afternoon session of talks and debate.

 

 

The big issues in waste management for councils were thrashed out in a lively discussion in which members of the audience were able to put their views to the panel creating an interesting mix of perspectives from suppliers, to council members, to Friends of the Earth, to distinguished Lords including Lord Baker. Amongst the topics the central theme was the growing financial burden on councils in waste management and partnership working as a possible solution.

 

Dr Caroline Jackson emphasised the role of Europe in decision making in the sphere of local waste management and said “we should all be thoroughly ashamed” about the state of the British waste management infrastructure. Dr Alan Bennett MP explained that councils could not cope with the rising burden if waste management. Peter Jones OBE suggested that councils needed to define the public benefit, and this view was complimented by Dr Caroline’s proposition that better design of waste facilities could put an end to the “NIMBY” issues in communities.

 

Jean Venebles OBE emphasised the significance of council purchasing policy in particular regarding the importance of buying recycled public goods when possible to set the right example. Venebles added “There have got to be partnerships even if they look different in different areas.” Sheila Wheeler agreed with the need for partnership working and explained to delegates that the role and scope of local authorities in waste management could not be underestimated, in terms of their role as community leader, service provider and landlord.

 

Following the event, delegates and speakers enjoyed a glass of wine in Stranger’s Dining Room, Westminster, where they were able to continue their discussions informally.

 

 

IESE will be hosting a number of events on different themes and all councillors would be well advised to attend if they can!