Contact: Campbell Williams, ext 5661 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The Hampshire Natural Resources (HNRI) Business Plan is delivering a number of key aims of the County Council. This update outlines what has so far been completed, what are the key areas of work currently being undertaken, and what remains to be completed in the remaining six months of this financial year.

2. Introduction

2.1 This update builds upon the HNRI Business Plan 2003-2005 that was agreed by the Cabinet in spring 2003, a copy of the Action Plan is attached as an appendix The HNRI is a non-statutory service that exerts the County Council's leadership and influence through a multi-sector network that aims to make a real difference to the use of natural resources in Hampshire.

2.2 HNRI is working to achieve the vision and goals that were agreed by stakeholders in September 2002.

3. Timescale

3.1 The programme to achieve the HNRI vision is divided into three phases for business planning purposes:

3.2 Short Term (2003-2005)

(i) Continue capacity building and development of the HNRI concept and network, including EC, national and regional links.

(ii) Obtain essential data and commence development of a supporting strategy and land use plan framework.

(iii) Implement projects and initiatives that make a tangible difference, focusing on achieving the Public Service Agreement (PSA) and improving internal performance in moving from waste management to resource management.

3.3 Medium Term (2006-2007)

(i) Continue development and expansion of the HNRI network.

(ii) Implement the strategy, including in respect of societal issues.

(iii) Develop the flow of projects with increasing emphasis on external projects.

3.4 Long Term (2008-2010)

(i) To consolidate the above actions.

(ii) Achieve the community vision by 2012.

4. Scope

4.1 The initial focus of HNRI is on materials that end up as waste. However, there are clear links with the full HNRI vision that includes energy, water, soil, etc in addition to waste as these elements are inter-linked and many elements will relate to more than just waste.

5. The HNRI Team

5.1 The concept behind HNRI is that a small direct staff and financial resource can mobilise a much larger `virtual team' running to many thousands of people to achieve real change. This work would be supported by securing external funding to support demonstration initiatives and projects.

5.2 The constraints on success are the available resources, both in money and staff, and the ability of the HNRI Team to develop and implement innovative and creative approaches, and engage and influence others to achieve real change.

5.3 HRNI operates through a small direct team dealing with influencing policy development, societal change and network support. HNRI projects are managed via a shared resource in the Waste Management Group.

5.4 The full HNRI team is now in place, in room 217 of Ashburton Court West, and can be contacted via email on [email protected] or by telephone on 01962 845381.

6. Aims and Objectives

6.1 HNRI is a key priority for the Environment Department. It links to the following corporate priorities:

(i) Corporate Strategy Aim 2 (redevelopment of an action-orientated natural resources strategy and land use plan).

(ii) PSA (to divert an additional 40,000 tonnes per annum of household, commercial and industrial waste from landfill by 2004/05).

6.2 HNRI is being guided by the HNRI Business Plan 2003-05. The Business Plan is still relevant. The following important developments have arisen since it was agreed in spring 2003:

(i) The preparation of the discussion paper `Waste to Resource Management' as a key influencing tool both nationally and locally. The paper was written by Keith Riley from Onyx, Professor Charles Banks from Southampton University and Bob Lisney from HNRI. Work on the paper refined and clarified the NRI philosophy and the linkages with Waste Management and Minerals and Waste Planning.

(ii) This discussion paper has driven the adoption of the Material Resources Strategy (MRS) concept within the Environment Department, to integrate the preparation of a new Minerals and Waste Development Framework, Waste Strategy and Societal Change Plan. This Strategy will deliver a considerable amount of the HNRI Business Plan, integrated with actions from across the Environment Department, and represents a substantial improvement to what the HNRI Business Plan is able to deliver.

(iii) Agreement in principle to the establishment of an European NRI network, with a focus on the business sector to share best practice.

6.3 The above initiatives are crucial in shaping the development and implementation of the HNRI concept. In particular the preparation of the MRS is a key priority for HNRI as it will put the discussion paper concepts into practice and be the key strategy document guiding future action.

6.4 Linked to the above, HNRI needs to maximise the economic and social opportunities associated with the sustainable use of material resources. These include opportunities for economic development and new jobs and the provision of training and work experience for the socially disadvantaged.

7. Review of 2003/04 Action Plan

7.1 A review of performance against the 2003/04 HNRI Action Plan is set below; areas of particular achievement are also detailed.

7.2 Continued progress towards achieving the PSA target.

(i) A programme of projects are under way to meet the PSA target of diverting an additional 40,000 tonnes of waste from landfill by 2004/05, for example a number of haunch recycling sites in Petersfield through a partnership with Foster Yeoman and Raynesway Construction Southern, as well as the innovative use of Incinerator Bottom Ash.

(ii) Formal audit procedures with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are currently being agreed.

7.3 Effective influencing at EC and UK Government levels, including producing the `Waste to Resource Management' discussion paper as a influencing tool.

(i) The `From Waste to Resource Management' discussion paper was launched in London on 4 September 2003 to an influential audience at the Institution of Civil Engineers. An article on the implications of this paper was broadcast on You and Yours on Radio 4 on 19 September 2003.

(ii) The principles of this discussion paper are being developed in the preparation of the MRS locally.

7.4 Contributing to the MRS concept and launch.

(i) The MRS was successfully launched to over 200 people at Southampton Football Club on 23 September 2003. Initial evaluation of the feedback suggests that the stakeholders that have so far been involved are fully supportive of the MRS approach. The next major stakeholder event will be on 2 December 2003, and there are currently around 400 organisations and individuals who have expressed an interest in being involved.

(ii) The MRS will develop an integrated strategy which will incorporate:

(a) a new strategy to utilise waste as a resource

(b) a Minerals and Waste Development Framework

(c) a plan for societal change to enable delivery - this is being led by the HNRI team.

7.5 The successful inaugural NRI European Network meeting and associated events during Green Week in Brussels.

(i) In early June Hampshire held a meeting of a number of European Regions which are interested in joining together to form a network to develop the more sustainable use of natural resources across Europe. The first meeting of this network is set for 7 November 2003, and interest from the original Regions that attended the first meeting has remained high. This network developed alongside a number of presentations to influential groups by officers of the Environment Department at Green Week.

7.6 Implementation of an external funding strategy in partnership with Viridis (the externally funded arm of TRL - formerly the Transport and Road Research Laboratory). One aim of HNRI is to maximise the use of funds from external sources. The external funding strategy has been approved by the Environment Departmental Management Board. The next step is the organisation of an External Funding Strategy stakeholder group.

7.7 Project management of a range of demonstration projects, eg Commercial Waste to HWRCs.

(i) A project to allow small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) access to the HWRC network to dispose of their recyclable and residual waste on a chargeable basis is being developed. The project will hope to discover whether the HWRC network is suitable for use by SMEs and whether SMEs would be willing to pay for such a service. The pilot project will be based at two sites, Alton and Segensworth, and will run for six months.

7.8 Project management of the Bar End HWRC and Eco Centre to the point where planning consent is in place and implementation can proceed.

(i) Planning permission for the Bar End HWRC Eco Centre was granted in late September and implementation can now proceed. Work will begin this autumn with construction starting in spring 2004.

7.9 Securing £80,000 from SEEDA to fund feasibility studies in the resource park concept.

(i) £80,000 has now been secured from SEEDA and feasibility studies can now get under way.

7.10 Progression of feasibility studies in the establishment of a resource park at Peak Copse, near Basingstoke.

(i) The former Gypsy Site at Peak Copse, near Basingstoke is being evaluated for uses which will contribute towards HNRI objectives. If the site is deemed suitable the County Council could make it available for activities relating to reuse, recycling and recovery to promote the use of waste as a resource. Consultations will take place with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Dummer Parish Council on details of the proposal as they emerge. The outcome of these initial investigations will be reported to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and the Environment Policy Review Committee at the end of this year.

7.11 Successful hosting of the exhibition `The Earth, A User's Guide at Intech.

(i) The Exhibition was opened by the Leader on 4 August 2003 and throughout August a range of meetings was hosted; it was also open to the public who visited Intech. Visitors completed a computerised questionnaire, the results of which are now awaited; this will provide useful information on how the public view the environment.

7.12 Improved links with business via a revamped Hampshire Business Environment Forum, the Hampshire Business Environment Awards and the Hampshire Economic Partnership.

(i) The Business Environment Awards for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were held in the Great Hall, Winchester on 26 June 2003, chaired by Councillor Michael Woodhall. The Portsmouth Marriott won the overall award, and all the top winners have now been entered in the equivalent SEEDA awards, with Hampshire having the highest number of finalists. All the entrants are now being followed up with further visits to improve their performance.

(ii) The Hampshire Economic Partnerships Annual Conference on 31 October 2003 will concentrate on the opportunities available to business through acting more sustainably.

7.13 Support the HNRI Advisory Group and HNRI Trust, including commencement of the WEEE Research and Development project.

(i) The Trust and the Advisory Group have continued to meet every two months, and have been instrumental in commencing the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Research and Development Project which has received around £600,000 landfill tax funding.

(ii) These funds allowed the delivery and development of a full project plan, undertaken by a consultant employed by the Hampshire Natural Resources Trust, which will lead to the implementation of pilot WEEE remanufacturing facilities.

8. Completing the Business Plan for 2003/04

8.1 Those key actions not yet progressed from the HNRI Business Plan in the first half of 2003/04 will be actioned during the second half, and include:

(i) review opportunities presented by PSA;

(ii) implementation of the demonstration project, with Eastleigh Borough Council, to establish the maximum level of recycling achievement;

(iii) contribute to an internal County Council waste plan and waste data recording system;

(iv) work with the Performance and Innovation Branch of the Environment Department to investigate the options for including HNRI in an integrated lifestyle change programme; and

(v) investigate options for externalising the administration of the Hampshire Natural Resources Trust.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

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