David Brambley-Crawshaw

The Welsh Local Authority municipal waste statistics for 2023-24 were published this morning. Key results: * The recycling rate (percentage of local authority municipal waste that was prepared for reuse/recycled/composted) increased by 0.9 percentage points from 65.7% in 2022-23 to 66.6% in 2023-24 * Residual household waste per person decreased by 2.1%, falling from 172kg in 2022-23 to 168kg in 2023-24. * There has been a significant decrease in the proportion of waste disposed of via landfill (falling from 42.0% in 2012-13 to 0.9% in 2023-24) https://lnkd.in/eTaPEFZg

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The Landfill Disposals Tax for Wales statistics for January to March 2024 were published at 9.30am today. Key findings for waste disposed to landfill in the period April 2023 to March 2024: * The 272 thousand tonnes of waste disposed at the standard rate in April 2023 to March 2024 was 34% lower than in April 2022 to March 2023. * There were 1,054 thousand tonnes of authorised disposals overall. This is a decrease of 14% when compared with April 2022 to March 2023. Decreases in standard rate disposals and relieved and discounted disposals were partially offset by a smaller rise in lower rate disposals. * Fines material accounted for 41% of the weight of waste disposed at the lower rate of tax https://lnkd.in/ePq-anB7

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Highly recommend event. Could your competitors actually be your allies? Are you missing out on those bigger contracts because you don't have all the bases covered or would struggle to deliver at the the volume or speed needed? Maybe you don't need to do it all on your own! Find out more at this event.

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On 30 July, the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government laid a written ministerial statement in Parliament setting out proposals to tackle the local audit backlog in England. Today (9 September) the government laid in Parliament two pieces of legislation which give effect to these proposals. The measures, which are supported by all key local audit organisations, include setting a statutory ‘backstop’ date of 13 December 2024 to clear the backlog of unaudited accounts up to and including Financial Year 2022/23. The legislation includes five further backstop dates up to and including financial year 2027/28 to allow assurance to be rebuilt over several audit cycles. https://lnkd.in/eTFhzbfN

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NEW REPORT: Waste Heat Recovery – An Introductory Guide https://lnkd.in/exy7SBsa Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government have jointly published this report which was produced by Arup, with the support of a wider public sector steering group. Recovering and reusing waste heat can reduce emissions and lower bills for customers using heat networks. This guide is to encourage the use of waste, to develop knowledge and support engagement between organisations such as local authorities, heat network operators and heat producers. The guidance is directed at non-technical specialists. The guide covers: - technical characteristics, including types of waste heat and options for reusing waste heat - technologies to capture waste heat - commercial considerations, including heat supply agreements, ownership and procurement - a summary of waste heat producing sectors

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A new report by Localis calls on councils to make use of the new Procurement Act, which comes into effect in February, to make better use of their collective annual £72bn spend on goods and services. The act stresses the importance of the ‘most advantageous tender' to unlock a wider concept of value for money that involves social prosperity and inclusive growth. Councils are also advised to use dynamic contracting, whereby local contracts are equipped with mechanisms that allow for the periodic review and adjustment of commercial terms to meet local needs. Key report recommendations for central government include: calls to conduct economic and social impact studies to better direct local strategic capacity; greater clarity on legal definitions and scenarios under the new legislation; supporting a local government capacity building programme for council procurement departments. https://lnkd.in/dHifuEM6

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Climate change and the environment is the 4th placed important issue facing the UK according to the latest ONS Public Opinions and Social Trends. https://lnkd.in/eeJXBusA

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So Crown Commercial Services are re tendering their Management Consultancy Service framework. I'm sure many of us are SME's and concerned over the COPTA requirements. So today I asked a clarification question: QUESTION Please can the CCS confirm how the number of COPTAS and the financial levels set support the governments SME action plan? Whilst reviewing the tender documents it appears to us that this framework is not aimed at SME's and we would appreciate CCS clarifying how SME's will be able to bid on their own rather than as a subcontractor only. CCS RESPONSE CCS will not be providing explanation for the mandatory requirements of the procurement. SMEs are eligible to bid providing that they are able to meet the mandatory criteria set out in the tender documentation. I'm slightly stunned by the response 🤨

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An interesting approach, with potential consequences in reducing project durations and scopes-I’d like to see the evaluations and lessons to see if the efficiencies are being realised

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Such a helpful synopsis. Fascinating to see that the drivers could apply to so many aspects of business practice that have a wider social benefit, and they sit along a continuum from direct business benefit to enforcement through regulation.

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It's a start.

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Sounds like an interesting event for those who work in sustainability and environment in particular, around the need to consider both practical but also people-centred behaviour changes needed to implement new policies. Good reminder of the importance of focusing on developing the skills and capabilities people need to implement change to ensure its successful stewardship.

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Council Climate Action Scorecards methodology updated - Climate Emergency UK CIC has released the draft methodology for its second set of Council Climate Action Scorecards, which will be published in summer 2025 #climateaction #climatechange #energy #environment https://lnkd.in/dNyXAUaY

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We're currently seeking organisations to help SMEs in South and Vale transition to net-zero with two pilot projects to be funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). We have two live procurement opportunities: 1. Decarbonisation plans for businesses - we are offering funding to organisations that can help businesses based within our districts to create decarbonisation plans that enable them to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. This may include providing tools to measure emissions, or supporting businesses with the production of energy audits or wider sustainability plans. 2. Decarbonisation business support programme - we are seeking an organisation to develop and deliver a pilot programme of decarbonisation-focused business support that provides advice and guidance for businesses, helping them to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The programme could include workshops, guides, access to resources, and bespoke advice and mentoring. Applicants can apply for up to £24,999 for each tender. (Please note that your project is expected to begin in August 2024 and finish by 31 March 2025) The deadline for tender applications is 10 July 2024. If you would like to submit a proposal, please email [email protected] and we will send you the relevant documents to complete. Sophie Evans Karen Tolley Karen Roberts Kathy Deacon

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Good to see the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee highlight the importance of front-loading milestones to sort out the grid connection delays in their report on sustainable electrification of the UK economy published today. The report notes evidence from Low Carbon suggesting that bringing the milestones forward and ‘front-loading’ them would alleviate this problem and allow faster rollout of energy generation. Looking forward, the Committee recommends that the government and Ofgem actively monitor and streamline initiatives designed to deliver grid connections faster. It also recommends that Ofgem review its milestone queue reforms, with a focus on advancing demonstrably ready projects to the front of the queue. Once the dust has settled after the election it is important that the next government and the regulator move quickly to continue delivering these reforms so we can get more clean energy on the system. Link to the full report below. https://lnkd.in/eQikdy7w

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In 2023, Coventry City Council's Procurement Services embarked on a mission to understand how we can better support SMEs in bidding for Council contracts. We launched our first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey to not only understand the diverse make-up of the businesses within the City, but to understand what the businesses consider to be the barriers to entry and what we can do to support them. The survey responses were considered and we drafted inclusive procurement changes that included, but were not limited to, increasing the minimum number of quotes/tenders sought, and establishing minimum timescales for quotes/tenders (below threshold). It was my first redraft of the Council's Contract Procedure Rules that are embedded within the Constitution, and I was delighted to see the changes approved in December and rolled out in February this year. But inclusive procurement and supporting SMEs isn't a one-time action. We will continue to identify opportunities to support SMEs in bidding for Council opportunities, and that's why I'm delighted to confirm that we've launched our 2024 iteration of the EDI Survey - we've even got some special prizes up for grabs for 3 lucky entrants. So if you're a business based in Coventry, please follow the link below and help the Council support you in its procurement activity! https://lnkd.in/e5aSGb4S #Coventry #Procurement #EDI #SME Oluremi Aremu Andy Williams

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Really helpful practical tips on how to do co-design in the public sector by Leon Cruickshank. You can now re-watch his talk at the #PublicPolicyDesign events library here.... https://lnkd.in/eQ9Qmf7T

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