Waste
Is it easy being green?
Huw Russell of Local Partnerships says: 'It might not all be easy, but we stand ready to support the public sector implement the changes required by the Environment Bill.'
Counting the benefits of good partnership
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was formally signed off this summer. It will build on South Holland DC’s own experience of partnership working, and build something even bigger, says Rob Barlow.
Investing to deliver clean and green streets in Birmingham
Despite the city’s well-publicised challenges Birmingham City Council has taken the bold decision this year to invest a further £7.2 million into services as part of its Cleaner Greener Streets campaign. Cllr John O’Shea explains.
'No end in sight' as bin strike continues
Trade union Unite has accused Bexley LBC of failing to deal with an ongoing industrial dispute that has caused six weeks of bin strikes.
The Green Book needs to be green in nature
On climate action, it could be argued that the most effective changes we can make are those in which our chosen leaders make solid commitments, followed by sturdy regulation and effective enforcement, says Lawrence Conway.
EXCLUSIVE: Porter intervention in waste plans
A former Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association has angrily criticised the Environment Bill’s waste reform proposals.
Essex draws on reserves to fund legal dispute
Essex CC is drawing down £13m of reserves to fund an ongoing legal dispute over a failed waste scheme.
Council drive to tackle staff shortages
Dacorum BC has started retraining workers to drive waste lorry in a bid to tackle a national shortage of qualified drivers and the impact of the pandemic.
Councils forced to suspend waste services due to staff shortages
Several local authorities have been forced to reduce or suspend waste and recycling services due to staff having to self-isolate and a national shortage of drivers.
Significant procurement challenges lie ahead for districts
Procurement is likely to involved significant challenges for district councils now and in the years ahead, says Ian Miller. 'It remains to be seen whether national or local priorities will govern councils' purchases'.
DEFRA’s simplistic proposals are as doomed to fail
The waste collection business is complicated, says chair of the District Councils' Network Cllr John Fuller. 'It requires attention to detail and a recognition that different streets in a borough can have different requirements.'
Uproar at move towards 'national bin service'
Councils are preparing to fight government plans to create what they fear will be a ‘national bin service’.
Beyond waste: delivering a circular economy
Martin Pollard at Local Partnerships outlines the circular economy of waste management in Wales.
Council ‘outraged’ by Unite decision to continue bin strike
Thurrock BC has said it is ‘outraged’ workers in its waste and recycling department have decided to continue to strike.
The sector needs to reflect the trust placed in us by the public
The message from the public is loud and clear, says Paul O’Brien. ‘They like, value and trust local neighbourhood level services’. He asks: 'So, will this public trust in councils continue? To use a lawyer’s response "it all rather depends".'
Survey shows public trusts councils more than Government on COVID
The findings of a new opinion poll show the public trusts councils more than Government on the response to COVID, says APSE.
Recycle Week is so important, this year of all years
As Recycle Week starts, director of WRAP UK Peter Maddox highlights the public’s high levels of satisfaction with waste collections and renewed momentum in Defra’s Resources and Waste Strategy.
The challenge of bringing street cleaning, refuse and recycling back in-house
Bringing back street cleaning, refuse and recycling under the control of Ealing LBC during COVID-19 was by no means easy, but Kevin O’Leary believes ‘we have exceeded expectations’.
Councils under pressure over worker safety
Local authorities are under increasing pressure to resolve issues of social distancing for refuse and other workers, with no clear guidance available.
Councils are at the heart of this fight
Councils’ understanding of the communities they serve and ability to disseminate information to residents, including ‘at risk’ groups, will be universally relied upon over the coming weeks, writes Sir Bob Neill.
