A Breathing Space

• I'm really pleased to be able to tell you that so far only four of the councils we are registered with have decided to stop paying Recycling Credits. This is brilliant news for our charities.

• It shows that decision makers have been able to see beyond short term savings and understand that the evidence provided in return for Recycling Credits will reduce the costs payable if UK and EU landfill targets are exceeded. 

• I realise that we have only seen the start of the spending cuts and we cannot afford to stop campaigning for Recycling Credits. If you would like any information from me or would like me to help you with lobbying, please contact me. 

• To see some of the amazing work carried out by our partner charities, please check out Clothes Aid website.

The Waiting Game

• I'm planning to write this blog until the end of this financial year. By then I should know which councils are keeping Recycling and Reuse Credits and which ones are cutting them.

• I am very aware of how difficult it is for local authorities to decide which of so many important activities will have to be cut.  This is why I have been so impressed with Cumbria's wide ranging public consultation.  It included an online web chat and public meetings, in addition to the main consultation. Council members answered all points made promptly and sought out facts when they were asked for.  Anyone, including me, who was slightly cynical about the point of the consultation and felt decisions had been made in advance, were delighted to be proved wrong.  The consultation ended with many changes being made to the original proposals.  I am very pleased to be able to quote from the council:

 'The opinions and reasoned arguments of the Cumbrian public, partner organisations and other stakeholders have been crucial in shaping the new budget and resulted in the removal of proposals including introducing charges for on-street parking, reviewing funding for community swimming, stopping the payment of recycling credits to the third sector and also saw far less severe reductions in the budget for maintaining footpaths and public rights of way.'

• I know that people who took part in the exercise welcomed the chance to have their views listened to.  

• I'm just waiting now to hear what will happen with the majority of councils, from whom I have not yet heard.  Let's just hope no news is good news.

Light in the Darkness

• It seems that I am doing a lot of waiting and hoping at the moment.  Along with many local government employees.

• I'm sending off claims for quarter 3 Recycling Credits and wondering whether quarter 4 will be the last ones I do.

• I received two letters in the last two weeks informing me that their council has decided that Recycling Credits will be one of the casualties of the spending cuts.  This is a particular disappointment to staff involved who have been proud to work with several charities in this way.

• The third letter, however, led me to believe that there was still hope.  It was from Lord Henley, minister responsible for Recycling Credits.  He supported the comments I have made before, namely that it would be a false economy to stop Recycling Credits because the resulting increase in landfill would result in even higher costs.

• Let's hope he is right.  I am of the impression that the people making the decisions about what costs to cut do not understand the complexities of Recycling Credits and Landfill Tax.

• Councils are put in the impossible position of having to choose between equally important areas of expenditure.

• What is clear is Recycling Credits does offer the opportunity for local authorities to save money in the long term.

• Feedback from one council indicates they will see sense and keep Recycling Credits because: 'We DO want to cut down (MUST cut down) landfill. We shall not reduce recycling credits.'

• So I go into February with fingers firmly crossed but a little more hopeful that we can continue to work together keeping biodegradable waste out of landfill.