Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 238ZS: 238ZS: Clause 206, page 143, line 37, at end insert ““and provided that the waste disposal authority for the area specified is consulted and may be invited to participate as one of the local authorities making such proposal”” The noble Lord said: I welcome the opportunity presented in the Bill to establish joint waste authorities; the disposal of waste is one of the biggest issues facing local government these days. The provision has been subject to detailed consultation with local authorities through the Innovation Forum, which has provided further clarity on this rather exciting opportunity. However, while Part 11 of the Bill sets out a framework under which a group of local waste authorities can submit to the Secretary of State for approval a proposal to form a joint waste authority, I am proposing that this part of the Bill be clarified to ensure that the waste disposal authority is consulted and may be asked to participate in the joint waste authority proposed by the waste collection authorities. As I hope is understood, in large counties the county council is the waste disposal authority and the district council is the waste collection authority. It is very important that they work together to form a joint waste authority. One of the underlying principles in establishing a joint waste authority must be to bring additional opportunities—both added value and added benefit—that would not be deliverable through any other mechanism. My view is that the Bill falls short of what could otherwise be achieved. There is no doubt that establishing a joint waste authority, the joining up of waste collection authorities through horizontal integration and, where appropriate, the delivery of vertical integration between the waste disposal authority and the waste collection authority would bring economic, operational, environmental and social advantages to that administrative area. That is consistent with the Lyons review and the Government’s ambition of streamlining services and achieving efficiencies in local government. Various studies have been conducted, including one by my own authority, which clearly identify evidence of potential savings as a result of an integrated approach. I have therefore tabled these amendments to make it clear that the waste disposal authority should be consulted and may be invited to participate in the formation of the waste authority proposed for all parts of that area. I hope that we are serious about the creation of joint waste authorities which can really deliver these benefits. That is why I am proposing a new clause setting out those powers in addition to the powers transferred by the constituent local waste authority. The new authority would need perhaps to contract on its own behalf and to raise additional private sector finance. Providing those powers to joint waste authorities free of the constraints of the borrowing limits and government procedures covering the constituent authorities would provide greater opportunities to find greater private sector involvement and other methods for financing some very expensive items. I welcome the opportunity to create joint waste authorities and support it entirely, but I hope that the Government will be able to accept my amendments to make the authorities work even better. I beg to move.