Agenda item

Gavin Polkinghorn, Planning Policy Team Leader, was in attendance to respond to Members’ questions regarding the West London Waste Plan paper as set out in the agenda pack.

Councillors enquired whether, given that the boroughs worked collectively across London, any changes to the London Plan could allow the waste?apportionment targets to be altered mid?process. It was asked whether such changes could be made or whether targets would remain fixed.

In response, it was explained by the Officer that the West London Waste Plan had been required to respond to the apportionment figures set out in the 2021 London Plan. It was further explained that, if the new London Plan currently under consultation were to be adopted with different figures, then the West London Waste Plan would need to be revised accordingly, as the targets would differ.

Members queried whether any backup or emergency arrangements were in place in case existing waste sites in Hillingdon became unusable or required closure. They asked whether contingency planning existed or whether it was assumed that services would continue smoothly.

The Planning Policy Team Leader responded that the Plan had demonstrated that sufficient waste?site capacity existed to meet both current and projected requirements. It was stated that additional waste sites could come forward ad hoc through the development?management process, providing further capacity between plan cycles if needed. The Officer noted that historically there had been very little churn in safeguarded waste sites, which tended to remain long?term. However, if a significant reduction in available sites occurred, additional provision could be brought forward.

Councillors referred to a contribution of £30,000 per borough per year over a five?year period and asked how this figure had been determined. They enquired whether value for money was being achieved and whether Hillingdon had scrutinised its contribution in comparison with that of neighbouring boroughs.

It was explained by the officer that all West London boroughs contributed the same amount. The pooling of resources for waste planning was described as a significant cost saving, encouraged by the London Plan. Although specific procurement details were not available at the meeting, it was confirmed that value?for?money considerations were embedded in procurement processes and that further information could be provided if required.

The Committee asked about the adaptability of the five?year plan in light of technological developments, including the introduction of Love Clean Streets. Members sought clarification as to whether the Plan had been prepared in a way that allowed for technological evolution.

The Planning Policy Team Leader responded that the requirement to update local waste plans every five years was itself intended to ensure responsiveness to technological change. It was stated that new recycling requirements, new approaches to handling contaminated waste, and other technological developments had been incorporated into the Plan.

Members sought further clarification relating to housing?target increases across West London. They enquired how effectively the Plan had accounted for expected growth and whether the Borough risked under?anticipating the impact of significant housing expansion or proposed new settlements. Councillors asked whether the five?year plan was robust enough or whether an emergency review might be required.

It was explained that growth would be addressed through the standard five?year update cycle. If the new London Plan introduced higher housing targets, these would be reflected in the Council’s local plan and handled through the natural progression from site identification to planning permission and build?out. It was confirmed that plans could be updated more frequently than every five years, if necessary, though in practice the five?year cycle aligned with development timescales and allowed for ongoing adjustment over time.

It was agreed that the drafting of Select Committee comments to Cabinet regarding the West London Waste Plan would be delegated to Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair and Labour Lead.

RESOLVED That the Residents’ Services Select Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the draft West London Waste Plan; and

2.    Agreed that the drafting of Select Committee comments to Cabinet regarding the West London Waste Plan be delegated to Democratic Services in conjunction with the Chair and in consultation with the Opposition Lead.