Contact: Tony Cook, ext 6730 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the programme and community involvement arrangements for the integrated Material Resources Strategy be endorsed.

(ii) That a Reference Group of Members is formed from the sponsoring organisations to provide a common approach to communications and decisions on the progress of the Material Resources Strategy.

2. Reason

2.1 To reconsider the programme for the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework and agree an integrated approach to the preparation of the Material Resources Strategy including the in-depth stakeholder dialogue.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To continue with the current process. This would lead to inefficiency and an adverse reaction from stakeholders who would then be involved in four separate participatory programmes.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 Work on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework (HMWDF) has been delayed in order for consideration to be given to integrating the work with other projects being undertaken in the minerals and waste field. An overarching approach is now proposed by preparing a Material Resources Strategy (MRS). This report considers the current progress with the HMWDF, the proposals for the Material Resources Strategy and an integrated stakeholder dialogue, and the need for a common approach among the sponsoring organisations.

8. Current Progress on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework

8.1 Approval was given by the Executive Member for Environment on 11 March 2003 to prepare an integrated Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework, up to the Deposit Plan stage. A Project Brief outlining the proposed areas of work was approved. It was identified that a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) should be prepared which would confirm the range of public participation in the preparation of the HMWDF. Subject to requirements, consultants were to be appointed to carry out the in-depth stakeholder dialogue.

8.2 At the same time as the HMWDF work is progressing, three other key projects are being undertaken within the Environment Department. These include developing the strategy to achieve the Hampshire Natural Resources Initiative vision; reviewing the Project Integra Strategy (which will examine collection and disposal arrangements up to 2020) and reviewing the strategy for provision of services through Hampshire Household Waste Recycling Centres.

8.3 It became apparent early on that there are strong inter-linkages between these pieces of work and the logical conclusion of the County Council's approach to resource management was that a common strategy should drive each of these initiatives. There is also the issue that each of these projects could potentially involve community participation at different times which would be inefficient and lead to an onerous burden on interested parties.

8.4 It is proposed to combine the four projects and formulate an overarching strategy towards all the County Council's work on minerals and waste. The concept is called `The Material Resources Strategy'.

8.5 Bringing the projects together has taken some time and the target dates for the HMWDF have had to be adjusted accordingly. However the delay in the passage of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill and the implications of the draft Government Guidelines on preparing Local Development Frameworks which have just been published would have required a revision to the programme in any event.

8.6 The approved Project Brief for the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework indicated that a Provisional `Minerals and Waste Development Scheme' would be agreed early on in the process. However, the legal implications of undertaking work before the commencement date envisaged by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, are currently being investigated. A further report to the Executive Member for Environment may be required.

9. The Material Resources Strategy

9.1 Waste management has previously concentrated on dealing with an ever growing end product of unwanted material requiring disposal. Dealing with this waste by landfilling, incineration or other means is a major environmental challenge. Recycling and composting mitigate the environmental impacts but only provide a partial solution. Rising per capita consumption has led to an increased use of natural resources and higher waste arisings. Attempts to halt the growth have so far proved unsuccessful. The sustainability of traditional approaches is being increasingly questioned.

9.2 A fundamental change is required. A resource management approach is being adopted in Hampshire which views waste as a resource and recognises that goods and products have a life cycle which can impact on the environment in many ways. Reuse, recycling and recovery of waste would be part of an overall system seeking to minimise the extraction and production of primary resources and to maximise the use of recycled or secondary materials. The aim is to both influence design and production to avoid process and post consumer wastes and, where this is not possible, to mitigate its environmental impact at the same time as maximising economic opportunities.

9.3 A resource management approach recognises that it requires action at all levels in society to work together to achieve efficiency in the use of resources. A strategy is required to steer the shift from conventional waste management to achieving a resource management approach. The Material Resources Strategy will provide an integrated overarching approach. The Strategy will cover the Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth administrative areas, and the main outputs will be:

(i) identification of a sustainable and holistic approach to society's use of materials;

(ii) appraisal of the main options in achieving this goal;

(iii) agreement of a set of principles to steer all the activities in minerals and waste; and

(iv) guidance to deliver the new concept.

10. Community Involvement in the Material Resources Strategy

10.1 Following the Executive Member's decision in March 2003, Entec/Alison Millward Associates have been appointed as the consultants to administer the in-depth stakeholder dialogue. The remit for the consultants needs to be slightly widened to cover the MRS.

10.2 A major launch of the MRS process was undertaken on 23 September 2003 at the St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Around 240 people attended the event. There was major support for the MRS approach from the representatives that attended. Importantly, there was extensive interest in participating in future workshops that will examine and develop the MRS.

10.3 A communications strategy is now being fully developed and will aim to:

(i) achieve ownership and commitment to the MRS process and outcomes within the sponsoring organisations;

(ii) ensure that stakeholders who should or want to have an input to the MRS process have the opportunity to do so; and

(iii) raise awareness of the MRS in the wider community, allowing a role in the consideration of the key issues and emerging solutions.

10.4 It is likely that about seven workshops will be held covering all aspects of the MRS and its constituent projects. There will be further themed participation events.

10.5 Stakeholder dialogue is an effective way of engaging with producers and consumers of material goods, and with those responsible for dealing with the waste. In addition, the HMWDF will be under a statutory requirement through the emerging Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill to demonstrate effective community participation as part of its preparation. A Statement of Community Involvement will be required but the new draft guidance from Government would mean that this can only be agreed at a later stage than originally envisaged.

11. Proposed Programme

11.1 The table below shows the proposed programme for the MRS and it also identifies the revised target dates for the HMWDF.

12. Members' Reference Group

12.1 The MRS is a partnership between Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council , Project Integra and the wider community. The sponsoring organisations need to work together efficiently and Members have equal access to information. It is proposed to have an easily convened group of Members or use "virtual communication" to fulfil this need. The Reference Group will develop and oversee the protocol for Member communication, approve key papers to be used in the stakeholder dialogue, provide guidance as necessary to officers and act as ambassadors for the MRS. It is likely that the Members Reference Group will comprise Councillors Estlin and Glen (Hampshire County Council), Councillor Baston (Southampton City Council), Councillors Hancock and Stevens (Portsmouth City Council) and Councillor Dibbs (Project Integra), but representation on this informal group will need to be confirmed by each Council.

13. Conclusions

13.1 The MRS will manage materials in Hampshire in an integrated, all embracing way. This will maximise the value of all materials already in use, reduce pressures on natural resources, and minimise the problems caused by waste. The preparation of the Strategy will be an efficient way to bring together four separate pieces of work covering resource initiatives, land use plans, collection/delivery systems and recycling centres. The programme for the Strategy should be endorsed. The current stakeholder dialogue being undertaken by Entec/Alison Millward Associates should include the MRS. A Reference Group of Members from the sponsoring organisations should be set up to provide common guidance on achieving the MRS.

8379/TC