Here is a summary of the West London Waste Authority meeting scheduled for Tuesday 2 December 2025. The meeting was scheduled to include discussions on the 2026-27 budget, an update on contracts and operations, and a review of health and safety performance. Also included in the agenda was the approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 16 September 2025¹.

2026-27 Budget

The report pack for the meeting included a 2026-27 Budget proposal for consideration. According to the report, the proposed budget aims to provide constituent boroughs with greater stability and predictability.

The key points of the budget proposal were:

• Levies are expected to grow by 1%, lower than previously expected, mainly because borough tonnages have been budgeted lower than the 2025/26 budget, while the underlying RPIx² pressure on contracts is projected to be 5.5%.
• The West London Waste Authority's policy is to disburse any reserves that are surplus to its requirements. Risks have been reviewed and reserves set aside to manage these risks. Any excess reserves will be confirmed and disbursed following the final statement of accounts being completed for 2024/25.
• The budget introduces a new staffing structure, with no overall permanent growth in staffing, but includes 4.0 full-time equivalent interim support to provide stability during a period of change management.
• In 2025/26, the Authority adjusted the pace of three funded programmes, which were supported by one third of PPP³ income. Except for Acton Hub, which merged with the Social Value and Reuse programme, all will become routine activities in 2026/27.
• In 2025/26, the Authority realigned priorities and filled vacancies to meet its statutory and operational duties. The 2026/27 budget aims to strengthen relationships with boroughs for shared opportunities and long-term efficiencies.
• RPIx has been budgeted at 5.5%, which is an increase from the 3.5% budgeted in 2025/26, reflective of the volatile market conditions at present.

The report included several recommendations for the West London Waste Authority to consider:

• Approve the 2026/27 budget for consultation.
• Approve the Ealing circular economy hub to be met from PPP income.
• Approve the Pay As You Throw (PAYT) rates and the PAYT levy made up of two components totalling £61.5 million.
• Approve the Fixed Cost Levy (FCL) of £18.1 million.
• Approve the possible requirement to increase trade and construction prices and delegate authority to the Managing Director in consultation with the Treasurer to change these in year should the need arise.
• Approve the new capital budget as well as the rollover of capital budgets.
• Approve the target level of reserves of £36.3 million including £11.3m to act as a buffer for managing risks and avoiding supplementary levies with the remainder earmarked for joint projects with the boroughs.
• Note the Medium- and Long-Term Financial Plan.

The report also provided a summary of the consolidated 2026/27 budget and the movement from the 2025/26 budget.

The levies for the Authority to be passed through to boroughs have remained relatively stable and increased by £1.1 million, a growth of 1% from 2025/26. The growth results from waste volumes projected by boroughs and current trends identified by the Authority. Additionally, efficiencies have been implemented where possible to ensure that the Authority's new structure can effectively manage safe waste disposal, as well as supporting boroughs on creating long-term efficiencies throughout the whole waste system.

Contracts and Operations Update

The Contracts and Operations Update provided an update on the Authority's waste treatment arrangements.

Key points included:

• Abbey Road transfer station is now receiving Borough waste and site improvements are being delivered. Options are being explored to begin receiving trade waste again as soon as possible.
• The Mattress Processing and Recycling contract has been successfully procured.

The report also detailed the performance of the Authority's key operational contracts, including those with:

• West London Energy Recovery Ltd, operated by Suez
• Viridor Waste Management Ltd
• Bio Collectors Ltd
• West London Composting
• N+P Group
• Waste-a-Way Recycling
• Suez

The report noted that the Severnside Energy Recovery Centre (SERC) facility has been operating well since the outage ended in the summer. It also noted that there had been some network rail disruption impacting slightly on the movement of waste by rail.

The report stated that further infrastructure investment is needed at Abbey Road to repair both the west upper section of the transfer station and the remediation of the road surfacing of the upper concrete level and access road to it.

2025/26 Health and Safety Performance

The 2025-26 Health and Safety Performance report reviewed the West London Waste Authority's Health and Safety performance for 2025/2026 to date, focusing on its two sites, an office in West Drayton and Abbey Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) and Waste Transfer Station (WTS).

The report provided assurance to stakeholders of the Authority's ongoing commitment to health and safety, summarised progress against the 2025/26 Action Plan, highlighted key risks and mitigations, and outlined a revised action plan for the rest of the financial year.

The report noted that the West London Waste Authority is continuing to make significant progress in managing and complying with health and safety requirements. Key areas of activity include the introduction of a digital hazard reporting system, increased staff engagement following a period of high turnover and a number of vacancies at Abbey Road, and the appointment of third-party consultancies to support site management and close resource gaps.

The report stated that reported incidents have increased, reflecting a more robust reporting culture rather than a rise in actual incidents. Site compliance ratings have improved, particularly at Abbey Road, following targeted interventions, and regular audits are being conducted.

The report also included the West London Waste Authority's Health and Safety Policy. The policy sets out the Authority's integrated approach to health, safety, and environmental management, referencing recognised standards such as ISO 14001⁴.