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Joint Waste Authorities: Guidance published

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 18/09
Date: 28 January 2009

Guidance published today by Defra accompanies new regulations which will come into force on 18 February that enable neighbouring local authorities to form a Joint Waste Authority (JWA) partnership. The guidance will help them work together to deliver more integrated and cost-effective waste services.

The guidance specifies what should be included in a proposal for a JWA, and the information that must accompany a proposal.

Joint Waste Authorities are  one of a variety of options open to local authorities to enable them to save money and to deliver efficient and high quality services for residents. It is up to local authorities to decide whether to make a proposal for a JWA, and to determine what services (collection, disposal and/or street cleansing) it would deliver.

The guidance is available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/jwa.htm

The names of local authorities who have submitted an expression of interest in developing a JWA proposal to date are also available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/partnerwork/jwa.htm

Further information

The power to create Joint Waste Authorities (JWAs) was introduced in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, in response to requests from local authorities.

A report on joint working on waste by the Innovation Forum, published in June 2006, highlighted the benefits of joint working in two-tier local authority areas, citing possible efficiency savings of around £150m nationally.  Providing groups of local authorities with the option to apply for creation of a statutory JWA should enable local authorities to work together better on tackling waste.

Defra Ministers wrote to local authorities in summer 2008, asking that they come forward with expressions of interest in developing a proposal for JWA status. Defra have been working and will continue to work with these groups of authorities going forward as they determine the most suitable approach for their area. It is important to note that submission of an expression of interest does not constitute formal commitment to pursuing JWA status.

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Page published: 28 January 2009