Contact: Alison Quant, ext 5099

1. Summary

1.1 At the latest Project Integra (PI) Management Board meeting (April 7^th 2005) the Executive Member for Environment indicated that he will recommend to the County Council it should consider withdrawing from the executive arrangements fulfilled by the Board over what it sees as a lack of shared vision over the purpose of the executive, the way it needs to develop to meet future challenges including the need to significantly increase domestic (household) recycling achievements as well as moving the agenda to accommodate the needs of local business and industry as set out in the stakeholder strategy `More from Less'.

1.2 The County Council is unequivocal in its desire to continue to work with all the local authorities in Hampshire. However, whilst being committed to partnership working with local Councils and to the concept of Integra, the County Council has concerns about the effectiveness of the executive process set up to co-ordinate the strategic waste management service.

1.3 The following decisions are sought:

That:

(i) For the reasons given in the report, the Cabinet is supportive of the stance adopted by the Executive Member for Environment regarding the County Councils proposal to withdraw from future participation in the Project Integra Board and for this to be formally considered and determined at a future Executive Member decision day;

(ii) The Cabinet note the different options available to the new County Council administration in terms of future waste and resource management delivery; and

(iii) The Cabinet requests the Director of Environment to discuss the preferred option(s) with the Hampshire local authorities to ensure that future partnership arrangements enable the delivery of cost effective municipal waste management in the context of the Materials Resources Strategy.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2, Stewardship of the Environment, Aim 3, Economic Prosperity, and Aim 5, Improving Services by ensuring that effective partnership arrangements are in place to enable the optimal and economic recovery of material resources in Hampshire.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To take no action and risk increasing costs for the Hampshire tax payer and higher than necessary levels of residual waste.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member 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 T K Thornber

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