The West London Waste Authority meeting was scheduled to discuss the authority's business plan for 2024-25, the budget for 2025-26, and updates on finance, contracts, operations, health and safety, and procurement. The meeting agenda also included a review of the authority's financial performance and operational contracts.

WLWA 2024-25 Business Plan

The meeting was scheduled to review progress on the West London Waste Authority's (WLWA) Business Plan for 2024-25. The plan focuses on strategic priorities aimed at reducing waste, increasing recycling, and creating permanent cost savings. Key areas of focus include addressing waste growth and carbon emissions, with a particular emphasis on reducing residual waste. The report highlighted that most action items were complete or on track for completion by the end of the year. The plan also outlined the financial implications of not implementing change, with projected increases in costs for boroughs due to waste growth and the Emissions Trading Scheme. The authority recommended approving the use of packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding to develop a roadmap to a low-waste future, including plans for 2030 and new collection systems.

2025/26 Budget

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed budget for 2025/26. The budget report indicated an 8% increase in levies for boroughs, primarily driven by waste growth and increased waste transport and disposal costs. The report highlighted that increases in residual waste tonnages would make levies unaffordable for boroughs, necessitating action to reduce this waste stream, particularly its fossil content. Other factors contributing to the levy growth included increases in business rates, trade waste income, and interest on investments. The budget also included a programme of work funded from the Authority's share of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) income, aimed at delivering carbon and financial savings to boroughs. The report recommended approving the 2025/26 budget, including specific levies for Pay As You Throw (PAYT) and Fixed Cost Levy (FCL), as well as capital budgets and a target level of reserves.

Finance Update

An update on the financial position and operational matters up to November 2024 was scheduled for discussion. The report indicated a forecasted overspend in PAYT levies if waste growth continued, with residual waste growth estimated to be higher than budgeted. The update also noted an increase in the landfill charge to the contractor and savings in contractor rates due to lower-than-budgeted inflation. Business rates were forecasted to be higher than budgeted and were under review. The report also provided an overview of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with some showing red and amber ratings, particularly concerning diversion from landfill and staff turnover.

Contracts and Operations Update

The meeting was set to receive an update on the authority's waste treatment arrangements and procurements. The report indicated that services performed well over the Christmas period, although residual waste was still expected to be higher than forecast for the year. Stakeholder engagement meetings were taking place as part of the West London Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) project. The update detailed the performance of key operational contracts, including residual waste transport and disposal, food waste, garden waste, and dry mixed recycling. It also provided an update on the Abbey Road HRRC and Waste Transfer Station, including repairs and the installation of a new reuse storage system. Progress on the West London HRRC Project, aiming for a joint contract across participating boroughs by April 2027, was also to be discussed.

Health & Safety: Annual Review and Plan

The meeting was scheduled to review the authority's Health and Safety arrangements for 2024 and present the plan for 2025. The report detailed an increase in hazards reported at the Abbey Road site, attributed to a push to strengthen the health and safety culture. Mitigations for common hazards, such as abusive behaviour and driving-related issues, were outlined. The report noted that incidents, accidents, and near-miss events remained stable compared to the previous year, with one instance of smouldering material and thirteen minor injuries reported. The 2025 action plan was focused on enhancing the overarching Health and Safety Management System, formal recognition of the system, and improving safety culture. A significant project at Abbey Road involving demolition, re-build, and repairs to the Transfer Station structure was also planned for 2025.

Quarterly Procurement Update

An update on the authority's procurement pipeline was scheduled, covering activity up to the end of the financial year and highlighting future procurements. The report detailed procurements in progress, including a strategically important contract for the processing and sale of dry recyclables, which required an extension due to unforeseen circumstances related to the Simpler Recycling announcement. The meeting was asked to approve this extension and minor clarifications to the Procurement Operating Procedures. Updates on ICT procurement, the West London Composting contract extension, property insurance, Health & Safety support, the Abbey Road demolition and construction project, and waste compositional analysis were also on the agenda. The report also outlined the procurement pipeline for Q4 2024/25 and Q1 2025, including the West London HRRC Services, mattress recycling services, and the WLWA Finance System. Preparations for the Procurement Act 2023 were also noted.