Progress is being made towards improving the working relationship between central and local government on household waste collection and disposal.
The Waste Management Working Group met for the second time on Monday afternoon (07 September 2015) to discuss waste collection strategy and policy.
The group, which represents a partnership between the Department of Infrastructure and local authorities, is collating information to allow, for the first time, the systems of waste collection to be compared across the Island.
Using this data, the group will seek to identify the current minimum standards for waste collection, as well as policies on reuse and recycling – including the operation of civic amenity sites.
This work is a key element of the local authority transition programme, which is aimed at delivering a range of benefits for the tax and rate paying public. The focus is on generating cost savings through the reduction of duplicated effort and on encouraging greater public engagement in community affairs.
All 24 local authorities have signed up to the principle of providing local services at a local level. The initial stage of the process involved local authorities taking on responsibility for highway maintenance functions such as hedge cutting, weed spraying, verge clearing, gully emptying and street sweeping.
Regional meetings and policy development sessions are discussing in detail new arrangements for waste management, housing and governance.
The potential to introduce unified standards for the allocation of public sector housing and the development of regional waiting lists is being explored. Work is also taking place to establish a clerks’ forum to encourage the sharing of best practice and to identify how local authorities can support national priorities.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:
‘We are making meaningful progress towards modernising the relationship between central and local government. All parties are coming together to discuss openly and honestly how to improve service delivery and to achieve greater value for money for the Isle of Man and its people. I believe we have established a strong level of trust that will enable us to agree a way forward on many important issues.’
He added:
‘The Waste Management Working Group is committed to introducing an Island-wide agreement for household waste collection and disposal by the end of this year. There are currently no minimum standards in place, while a lack of data means it is not possible to compare the service provided by one local authority against another. This makes it impossible for ratepayers to determine whether they are receiving value for money. Sharing information and agreeing a consistent approach across all local authorities is seen as a step in the right direction.’
The Waste Management Working Group is also looking at the costs of operating the Energy from Waste plant and the gate fee charged to local authorities.
