Issue - meetings

(Environmental Protection Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C/015/2007-08).

That, in respect of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, the Environmental Protection Portfolio Holder be authorised to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Council.

The Environmental Protection Portfolio Holder presented a report regarding the Memorandum of Understanding in respect of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy. The Portfolio Holder informed the Cabinet that the Council had been involved in the development of the Essex Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, through its participation in the Waste Management Advisory Board and West Essex Waste Management Joint Committee. The County Council had also made an application to the Government for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding to assist with the costs of the capital infrastructure required to achieve the recycling strategy. For the strategy and PFI bid to be successful, the County Council and its partners had to demonstrate their commitment to partnership working via a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all twelve constituent waste management authorities, and a Letter of Support signed by each of the three Area Waste Management Joint Committees.

The Portfolio Holder advised the Cabinet that the Memorandum of Understanding was not a legally binding document but it did demonstrate the commitment of the Council to engage in the development of Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy and to work in partnership with the County Council as well as other local authorities in Essex. The West Essex Waste Management Joint Committee had adopted the current version of the Memorandum of Understanding, and the Council had been requested to sign it by the end of July 2007. The Head of Environmental Services reminded the Cabinet that a County Waste Strategy presentation by Essex County Council officers was planned for the Council meeting scheduled for 28 June 2007, and that a report would be forthcoming at a future Cabinet meeting regarding the proposed Letter of Support agreed at the West Essex Waste Management Joint Committee.

            Decision:

That, in respect of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, the Environmental Protection Portfolio Holder be authorised to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Council.

Reasons for Decision:

The Memorandum of Understanding was a key element of the Joint Waste Management Strategy, which was already part of the Council’s agreed policy framework, and also formed the foundation of Essex County Council’s and The West Essex Joint Waste Committee’s overall future strategy for waste management within the County.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To not sign the Memorandum of Understanding, however this would contradict the Council’s own waste management strategy and its membership of the West Essex Joint Committee.