Written question asked by Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Hanham (Conservative) on Monday, 21 November 2011.

Waste Management

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether councils which receive funding from the Weekly Collections Support Scheme can expect to continue to receive such support for weekly collections in future years.

Answer: As outlined in my Written Statement of 10 October 2011 (Official Report, col. WS 83), the new weekly collections support scheme, will make up to £250 million available to councils to help them deliver weekly collections of household waste. The scheme will be funded by money from DCLG's unallocated departmental resource budget over the spending review period. This is therefore additional funding for local government over and above that already announced. The funding will support councils which switch from fortnightly to better weekly collections. It will support weekly collection which councils wish to keep and improve the weekly service they offer, such as through better procurement, new technologies and reward schemes like Recyclebank and others. In due course, my department will make a further statement on the detail of this scheme and publish a formal prospectus inviting councils to submit innovative bids for funding. Councils will be able to bid individually or in consortiums, and with the private sector, where that increases value for money. In order to encourage the most innovative and locally tailored solutions, authorities will be able to bid for a mix of revenue and capital funding.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13163; 732 c217-8WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Department for Communities and Local Government
Monday, 10 October 2011
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Finance Domestic waste Waste disposal
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk