Contact: Ian Avery, ext 6264 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That Hampshire County Council broadly welcomes the philosophy set out in the Government consultation about the review of England's Waste Strategy but considers the Government needs to show greater leadership and ambition if the philosophy is to be fully realised.

(ii) That the Director of Environment be authorised to make a detailed response about issues that need to be addressed to achieve successful implementation, including the need for:

(a) a definitive, long-term direction of travel, linked to sustainable development, climate change and energy policy, driven by challenging long-term goals linked to short-term targets;

(b) focussed research and data, linking production and consumption to waste management, to optimise strategic infrastructure implementation. A number of world-class `showcase' demonstration projects are required nationally to demonstrate the type of strategic facilities that will be needed in future to optimise delivery;

(c) more effective integration of the various levels of governance to plan and manage material flows effectively. Legislative changes and/or financial incentives may be needed to achieve this;

(d) a framework of legal and financial measures and incentives impacting on all sectors to encourage sustainable behaviour and discourage that which is not;

(e) to make producers (eg manufacturers and retailers) more responsible for managing end-of-life products and facilitating more efficient collection processes for different material streams, regardless of the municipal or commercial origin;

(f) a more certain and simplified system of waste management funding to facilitate long-term strategic planning and investment; and

(g) a coordinated programme of communications to raise awareness across all sectors, including young people in schools and colleges; a requirement on schools to manage their waste sustainably and financial incentives to make the transition.

1.2 This report was considered by the Environment Policy Review Committee on 20 April 2006.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2, (Stewardship of the Environment), Aim 3 (Achieving Economic Prosperity) and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by reducing the impact of waste on the environment, creating opportunities to use waste as a resource and achieving efficiencies in the provision of waste services.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 No response be made by Hampshire County Council.

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 G Knight

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J K Glen

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