The West London Waste Authority met on Friday 20 September 2024 to discuss financial reports, business plans, and operational updates. Key decisions included the appointment of new chairs and vice-chairs for the Authority and its Audit Committee, and the approval of future meeting dates. The Authority also approved the 2024-25 Business Plan and updated strategic priorities.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

Councillor Krupa Sheth was appointed Chair of the Authority for the 2024/25 Municipal Year, and Councillor Julia Neden Watts was appointed Vice-Chair. Councillor Paul Driscoll was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee, with Councillor Shivraj Grewal serving as Vice Chair.

Meetings for the Municipal Year 2024/25

Members requested that future meetings be scheduled on Tuesday mornings instead of Fridays.

Appointment of Independent Audit Committee Member

Gerald Almeroth was appointed as the Independent Member of the Audit Committee for a minimum of three years, with an option to extend to a maximum of eight years.

Draft Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Members received the draft 2023/2024 Statement of Accounts. The Director of Finance noted that KPMG had requested an independent desktop valuation of the Authority's properties at a cost of £12,000, which could increase the asset value within the accounts. The Authority also noted the disbursement of £8.6 million in PPP contract income, £0.2 million in interest earned on this income, and £5.4 million in excess reserves.

Internal Audit Reports

Members received the Internal Audit reports for 2023/2024. The Head of Internal Audit provided an overall opinion that the work carried out was considered reasonable. Concerns were raised regarding cyber risk in the limited assurance report, but officers confirmed that the IT supplier had the relevant certificates and procedures in place. The 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan has commenced. The Authority noted the recommendations made by the Head of Internal Audit in various reports, including the Annual Report on Internal Audits, Cyber, Excess Revenue Share Calculation, Internal Audit Charter, and the Internal Audit Waste Plan for 2024/25.

External Audit Plan and Strategy for year ending 31 March 2024

Members received the External Audit plan and strategy for the year ending 31 March 2024, noting that KPMG had been appointed as the Authority's external auditors. A representative from KPMG outlined the report, noting that this was their first audit plan for the Authority. Members were advised that the code of audit practice was still under consultation. The Authority noted the recommendations made by KPMG.

Assurance Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

The Assurance Statements, detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer report, were noted by the Authority. These statements are a self-assessment tool for Senior Leaders to review and demonstrate ownership for the quality of governance arrangements within their service areas.

West London Waste Authority Risk Register

The Committee received an update to the Authority's risk register. Key changes included the inclusion of increased insurance costs or the inability to insure within risk 1, and continued waste growth in risk 2. The register identified eight key strategic risks facing the Authority, with no notable (red) risks identified.

WLWA 2023/24 Business Plan

The Authority received the conclusion of the 2023-2024 Business Plan, noting the roll-over of some activities to the 2024-25 Business Plan. The Authority reiterated the importance of projects to increase food waste recycling and flats recycling, and to promote the WLWA circular economy and net zero resources available to support these projects. The plan highlighted that since 2021, the Authority and the Environment Directors' Board have been working towards a virtual single waste Authority to reduce costs.

WLWA 2024/25 Business Plan

The Committee received the 2024-2025 WLWA Business Plan. The Chief Executive explained that strategic priorities 4 and 5 are vital for achieving national and London-wide targets for Extended Producer Responsibility revenue. The updated Strategic Priorities and the Business Plan for 2024-25 were approved. The review of the three-year programme budget 2023-2026 was also approved.

Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) report

The Authority received an update on the West London Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) Services. The report proposed a capital investment programme in site infrastructure, to be funded through performance savings generated by a design, build and operate contract. Further discussion with Boroughs is required, and Members were not asked to formally approve the proposals at this stage. The circa £8m capital funding request for a joint HRRCs project was noted for consideration at budget challenge in November. The direct savings and improvements for all participating Boroughs in a joint HRRCs procurement were also noted.

Finance Update

Members received an update on the financial and operational matters of the Authority. Three new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were introduced to provide further insight into operational performance. The current financial position and forecast for 2024/25 were noted. The 2024/25 proposed KPIs were approved, and the KPIs to date were noted. The disbursement of £8.6 million in PPP contract income and £0.2 million in interest earned on this income was approved. The disbursement of £5.4 million in excess reserves was also approved. It was noted that internal audit had been extended by a further two years. The Audit Committee's agreement to appoint Gerald Almeroth as the new Independent Member of the Audit Committee was noted. The Treasury Management outturn for 2023/24 and update for 2024/25 were noted, along with delegated decisions.

Contracts and Operations Update

The Committee received an update on the Authority's waste treatment arrangements and procurements. The crane replacement project was reported as complete, with fewer fires this year attributed to wetter weather conditions. Members expressed concern about the contractor's management of the aging cranes. The growth in residual waste was noted.

Quarterly Procurement Update

The Committee received a quarterly update on the West London Waste Authority's procurement pipeline. Members were informed that this presented an opportunity to work collaboratively with Boroughs to create savings. The request to procure an outlet for excess residual waste was approved, and the Chief Executive was authorised to appoint a contractor following consultation with the Chair and Treasurer. The procurement update was noted.