Decision details

The Joint Waste Core Strategy (JWCS) provides a positive spatial planning policy framework for waste management. The draft JWCS was submitted to the Secretary of State and the Independent Examination was held in November 2010. The Inspector has concluded that the JWCS is 'sound' in his binding report and that it can therefore be adopted by the Council.

On a motion from Councillor Charles Gerrish, seconded by Councillor Vic Pritchard, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1) To WELCOME the Inspector’s binding findings;

(2) To NOTE the need to move quickly to the adoption of the JWCS;

(3) To COMMEND the report to Council;

(4) To ASK the Chief Executive to consider exercising his urgency powers to ensure the timely adoption of the plan.

The four West of England Authorities are committed to working together to plan for the changing waste needs of the sub-region. This work must be underpinned by a robust policy framework. Not to adopt a Waste Core Strategy jointly with the other West of England Authorities would create a risk that waste planning policy for the sub-region was inconsistent, potentially leading to an unbalanced and unsustainable distribution of waste facilities.

The Chief Planner (Communities & Local Government) wrote to all Local Authority Chief Executives 10 January 2011 and outlined that the EU Waste Framework Directive means that all waste planning authorities need to have waste management plans in place that allocate sufficient land for waste management facilities. The Government wants to ensure waste plans are adopted to meet EU requirements and to avoid the UK incurring infraction proceedings and fines as a result of unsatisfactory progress. In the event that local authorities do not comply, the Government has included a power in Part 2 of the Localism Bill to pass on some or all of any fines from the European Court of Justice to any authority which causes the UK to be in breach of its obligations under the Directive. It is therefore important that the West of England Authorities adopt the Joint Waste Core Strategy.

To prepare waste planning policies for Bath and North East Somerset, independently of other West of England Authorities. Not to prepare a waste Core Strategy jointly with West of England Authorities would create a risk that waste planning policy for the sub-region was inconsistent, potentially leading to an unbalanced and unsustainable distribution of waste facilities.