DRAFT
LIFT SW
Regional Improvement and
Efficiency Partnership
DELIVERY PLAN
Waste Services
Prepared by:Hamid Kennedy, LIFT SW
Version 1.7
3.1. Waste Services (SW spend: £300m p.a.)
Led by Hamid Kennedy, LIFT SW
The waste management programme is a three year programme covering both improvement and efficiency needs in the waste sector. The proposed budget of £558k (£186k p.a.) is anticipated to yield cashable savings of at least £7m over 5 years from the start of the programme. The programme also includes elements to help Local Authorities achieve LAA priority outcomes and build the capacity of their officers and members operating in the sector.
3.1.1. Background
Local authorities in the South West manage approximately 3 million tonnes of waste per annum at a cost of over £300m. Without the initiation of appropriate business transformation programmes the introduction of the EU Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS), and new government targets will cause the rate of authority spend on Waste Services to rise to unsustainable levels over the next few years.
Drivers include: the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS); CSR07 (3% cashable savings); and a series of national environmental targets around increasing the amount of recyclate removed from the waste stream, increasing public participation in recycling, and reducing the amount of food thrown away by consumers.
LIFT SW RIEP has an existing Regional Waste Services programme, which is scheduled to run until July 2008. The current programme is managed by the waste consultancy company Eunomia. One of their key outputs will be to provide a detailed view on the needs of the sector in the South West beyond July 2008.
There are a number of regional and national organisations operating in the sector (DEFRA, WIDP, WRAP, Environment Agency, GoSW, SWLGA, RDA, BREW). However, the most important stakeholders are the local authorities who are tasked with collecting, managing and disposing of waste. It will be important for LIFT SW RIEP to continue to work closely with these partners. At a national level it has been agreed that the RIEPs engaged in the waste sector will focus on: continuous improvement of procurement of goods and services, service delivery enhancements, skills, knowledge and awareness within councils, and the regional coordination of partner activities (including those around ensuring adequate and suitable facilities are in place).
3.1.2. Gaps in current approach/Key areas where LIFT SW RIEP can add value
- There are a number of groups and organisations dealing with waste issues in the South West and the overall governance and regional leadership of the sector needs to be improved to ensure that all Agencies and Authorities are working in partnership to achieve the relevant National Indicators (see governance section - para 1.1.7)
- Other than the current LIFT SW RIEP programme there are very few mechanisms in place to encourage collaboration and innovation within the region (addressed by outputs 1, 2 and 3)
- The primary model for waste services provision is likely to move from one of a single authority providing services, to one where multiple authorities will be working together in partnership. This is likely to involve authorities utilising outsourced suppliers or forming semi-independent waste partnerships/boards. Expertise and capacity in partnership working in the sector is still relatively limited (addressed by outputs 2, 3, 4)
- Up until now the focus of LAs has been on municipal waste with little attention being paid to commercial waste. As part of a more holistic approach to waste management authorities will increasing need to engage, inform and assist the private sector in how it disposes of and recycles its waste (addressed by outputs 1 and 3)
- There is currently very little provision for waste officers, planning officers, managers and portfolio holders to develop new and additional skills to help them respond to the likely changes in the sector over the next few years (addressed by output 4)
- Though there are a number of examples of good practice in waste services around the South West and nationally, there is little evidence of scalability or repeatability occurring at present. More effective communication and dissemination of information is required (addressed by output 1).
Taking into account the drivers outlined in the background, and the gaps in approach set out above, the LIFT SW RIEP waste services programme will work to address key issues and problems that authorities would find difficult to address on their own. The programme will support authorities to collaborate, share and benefit from innovative techniques, concepts and processes that they may not have otherwise been aware of or had the ability to implement. The outcomes and outputs sections of the logframe overview and chart summarise how this will be done.
DRAFT
3.1.3. Logframe Overview:
DRAFT
3.1.4. Waste Services Programme Logframe
Programme summary / Measurable indicators / Means of verification / NotesGoals:
Overall goals which this programme will help to achieve
1. Ensure value for money in the public sector
2. Achieve Government’s climate change objectives
3. Move waste management up the waste hierarchy and divert an increasing proportion of waste away from landfill / The evidence (quantitative / qualitative) which will be used to measure / judge the achievement of goal
NI 179: Value for money – total net value of ongoing cash-releasing value for money gains that have impacted since the start of the 2008-09 financial year
NI 185: CO2 reduction from local authority operations
NI 186: Per capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the LA area
NI 191: Residual household waste per household
NI 192: Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting
NI 193: Percentage of municipal waste land filled / Sources of information / data which will be used to assess the indicator(s)
Local authorities’ biannual reports.
Data to be provided by Local Authority using spreadsheet tool (published on the Defra website)
Defra publication of local CO2 emissions every Autumn.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/
statistics/globatmos/galocalghg.htm
Data will be acquired using local authorities WasteDataFlow returns
WasteDataFlow
WasteDataFlow / Important assumptions
Direct CO2 emissions from waste are relatively small – however untreated waste does produce large amounts of CO4 another climate change gas. Waste services do still have a key role to play in reducing CO2 emissions. Recycled glass and paper uses less energy to produce; and waste to energy plants produce less CO2 than traditional forms of power production [VERIFY].
Measurable indicators / Means of verification / Notes
Outcomes:
How are things going to be different for the programme area or target group? What change or new capability will be achieved by the programme?
1. Increased levels of coordination and impact from organisations (agencies, authorities and private sector) working to reduce residual waste arisings and waste related carbon emissions in the region.
2. Local Authorities have increased access to support to set up the systems and facilities required to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
3. Local Authorities have increased their ability to make significant efficiency savings on the cost of delivering waste services to citizens without a corresponding reduction in service levels
4. Skills, capabilities and knowledge levels of waste officers and portfolio holders increased / The evidence (quantitative / qualitative) which will be used to measure / judge the achievement of the outcome
Regional governance structures operational
Reuse, recycling, composting rates
Type and capacity of non-landfill waste disposal facilities in place
Reuse, recycling, composting rates
Levels of savings achieved
Organisational structures
Skill sets
Participation levels at regional seminars / on regional courses
Hits to waste services web pages
Skill levels / Sources of information / data which will be used to assess the indicator(s)
Regional Secretariat data
Local authority data
Yearly waste refresh report
Local authority data
Local authority data - compared against market leading authorities such as Somerset/Suffolk
Attendance lists
Google analytics
Feedback from sub-regional waste partnership meetings / (Outcomes to goal)
How outcomes linked to goals / key benefits i.e. the main advantage(s) accruing from each outcome
Helps to achieve goals 2 & 3.
Benefits:
Increased likelihood of achieving other outcomes/benefits.
Reduction in CO2 emissions.
Helps to achieve goal 3.
Benefits:
Avoidance of landfill taxes
Helps to achieve goal 1.
Benefits:
Cashable savings - 7m over 5 years
Helps to achieve goals 1,2 & 3
Benefits:
More effective use of limited resources.
Less reinvention of the wheel.
Likelihood of achieving other outcomes increased
Measurable indicators / Means of verification / Notes
Outputs:
The specific, deliverable results expected from the project to attain the outcome
- Waste Communications and Coordination Programme
3. Support programme to help local authorities implement/pilot innovative or collaborative waste services activities in partnership with other authorities or the private sector.
4. Skills Development Training Programme to build capacity within the waste sector (both at officer and member level) / The evidence (quantitative / qualitative) used to measure / judge the achievement of the output
Establishment of Executive Waste Services manager group
Change in organisational and citizen understanding about waste minimisation and recycling.
No. newsletters distributed, case studies produced, networking events held, waste services pages on the website, meetings held with stakeholders
No. proposals supported
No. of studies, reports, plans supported
No. of LAs who commit to working towards Joint Waste Partnerships / Authorities
No. of collaborative tenders / frameworks let
No. of innovative pilots / technical appraisal reports supported
No. participants from SW on national MBA level training course
No. waste peer reviews/exchanges that take place / Sources of information / data which will be used to assess the indicator(s)
Regional Secretariat
Local Authority surveys
Project monitoring
Project monitoring
Project documentation
Local authority data
Local authority data
Project documentation
Attendance lists
Project monitoring / (Outputs to outcomes)
How outputs linked to outcomes / brief description of how this output will be delivered
Helps to achieve outcomes 1,2,3 & 4
Dissemination of information on processes, experiences, best practice and lessons learned both from the programme and from other initiatives in the UK and overseas. By establishing appropriate governance structures and using a variety of different media, including regional networking events, site visits, newsletters, case studies, e-forums, and the web (LIFT SW RIEP site and the Waste Information Network) the communications programme will ensure work on waste services is coordinated and communicated across the region.
Support will be provided to review the Waste Refresh work from early 2007 and produce a revised ‘State of the Region’ report each year of the CSR07 period.
The programme will work to increase the effectiveness and coordination of authority communication campaigns and minimise the amount of ‘reinvention of the wheel’ taking place. The South West Recycling Officers network will be asked to assess and recommend modest collaborative proposals from authorities, which are designed to educate citizens in waste minimisation and recycling.
The work under this output will be undertaken by consultants, the programme manager and the business support officer.
Helps to achieve outcomes 2 & 3
Building on the existing waste services programme we will visit each sub-regional waste group to assess where support could help projects get off the ground, or move forwards quicker than they might otherwise have done. Assistance will only be provided where matching funds are made available by participating authorities. Given the gaps identified around partnership working (specifically JWAs) and the achievement of efficiencies our resources will be prioritised towards these activities. Assistance will be provided through consultancy support, or the provision of direct funding to a lead authority.
Helps to achieve outcomes 1,2,3
Our work will be directed towards stimulating authorities to procure goods, services and facilities collaboratively and at lower cost – and towards authorities commissioning innovative trials/schemes or technical appraisal of waste reduction solutions (e.g. kitchen waste collection pilots), waste disposal solutions (e.g. taking into account new factors such as carbon trading) and waste transportation solutions (e.g. carbon neutral disposal vehicles). Engagements will be identified through the ‘Waste Refresh’ work and sub-regional waste partnership meetings. Assistance will be provided through consultants, or through the provision of direct funding to a lead authority.
Helps to achieve outcome 4
Local authorities have highlighted that additional skills around partnerships, large financial capital build projects, legal and contractual work are needed in the sector. Following a more detailed needs analysis the plan is to set up a modest training programme based around an MBA module designed specifically for waste officers/managers (Improvement & Efficiency South East led); and a member/portfolio holder mentoring scheme (based on existing IDeA member training schemes). Authorities will be asked to nominate individuals for the MBA training course and the mentoring scheme.
DRAFT
3.1.5. LAA Priority Outcomes
Of the top 35 LAA priority outcomes listed for the South West two are directly related to waste services. LIFT SW RIEP will play a significant role in helping to achieve both of these.
- NI 186 Per capita CO2 emissions in the LA.
Considerable levels of CO2 are produced from some waste reduction technologies i.e. Waste to Energy, transportation of waste materials, and from the production of packaging and other goods from non-recycled materials. LIFT SW RIEP will work in partnership, with other regional partners and authorities to: reduce the level of virgin packaging generated, increase the rate of recycling in the region, reduce the levels of residual waste going to landfill, and ensure authorities are fully aware of the environmental impact of different waste reduction technologies/waste transportation technologies.
It should be noted that although not a nationally agreed indicator CO4 (methane) emissions from landfill – largely produced from food waste – have a significant impact on climate change. The work of the LIFT SW RIEP programme on reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and encouraging authorities to examine issues such as food waste collection and anaerobic digestion disposal facilities will play a significant role in helping to reduce the levels of CO4 produced in the region.
- NI 193 Percentage of municipal waste land filled.
Under the EU’s Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) all regions will be encouraged to reduce the amount of residual waste sent to landfill facilities. The cost of sending waste to landfill will significantly increase (landfill taxes will rise from £32 to £48 a tonne over the next two years). LIFT SW RIEP will work with partners and authority groupings to put in place systems and capacity to reduce the overall levels of waste generated and divert waste away from landfill. Through the programme outputs we will assist authorities to put in place efficient and effective regional/sub regional education programmes on waste minimisation, better recycling services, and facilities to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Though DEFRA will lead on any large scale capital build projects LIFT SW RIEP will look to add value by commissioning and supporting regional coordination of work linked to the demand, supply and technical appraisal of different types of waste reduction facilities.
3.1.6. Support to the National RIEP Workstream
Although it is not confirmed by the national Chief Executives Task Group (leading the RIEPs nationally), it is likely that there will be a national RIEP workstream for Waste Management. LIFT SW RIEP will continue to support and participate in this national workstream in a proactive manner.
3.1.7. Governance
Issues related to a lack of regional leadership in the sector are now being addressed through a partnership made up of LIFT SW RIEP, the Environment Agency, GoSW, local authority representation, the RDA and the SW Regional Secretariat. This group has agreed that the Strategic Waste and Resources board (see below) will provide operational guidance to both the LIFT SW RIEP programme (acting as project board) and other regional groupings dealing with waste services/waste policy in the region. Membership of the group will be expanded to include representation from a waste collection authority and the commercial sector. Councillors will be engaged through the existing Regional Planning member panel run by the SW Regional Secretariat.
Figure 1: Governance of Waste Planning and Delivery Arrangements in the South West Region 2008
3.1.8. Who has been consulted?
The strategy will be validated by the SW Strategic Waste Group (includes senior representatives from SWRDA, SWLGA, GOSW, EA, and the LA Director of Environment nominated by peers to represent their views on waste). The strategy has also been sent to all SW Local Authorities, WRAP, the National Centre of Excellence lead on waste, and other interested partners for comment.
3.1.9. Sustainability
The main outputs within this programme are designed to be self standing and shouldn’t require the same level of support moving forward beyond the CSR07 period. It is envisaged that the majority of sub-regions will have a range of multi-authority partnerships in place to deliver both efficiency and improvement benefits by the end of the period. Similarly the skills needed to run, monitor and maintain multi-authority partnership services, at officer, manager and member level, should also have been imparted. Nevertheless some areas of work will need to be continued beyond 2010/11 – areas such as the regional education work (linked to the need to increase recycling rates and waste prevention) and best practice dissemination will continue to be important. It is difficult to say with any degree of accuracy exactly how this might be continued but an important product of the 3 year programme will be to produce, in conjunction with all interested stakeholders, an options paper/mechanism outlining how these activities should be continued/funded beyond the CSR07 period.