Members considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community which proposed changes to the Joint Waste Contract’s (JWC) Administering Authority (AA).

Rother District Council (RDC) had served as the AA for the JWC since its inception in 2011 and the role was defined in the Constitution of the Joint Waste and Recycling Committee (JWRC).  Any changes to the Constitution would require approval from all Partnership authorities.  Due to staffing changes at RDC, it was proposed that the Lead Director and contract administration roles transfer to Wealden District Council (WDC).  On 23 October 2020, the JWRC had approved that Averil Price, Director of Community and Customer Services be appointed as the Lead Director with immediate effect and that WDC be the AA from 1 April 2021.

The Joint Waste Office staff would transfer to WDC and Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment] (TUPE) arrangements would be implemented.  As a result, the Council would lose £45,000 administration financial contribution towards accommodation, ICT and associated support costs.  It was anticipated that ongoing costs would remain the same.

Concern was aired that RDC would lose the prestige of being the AA for the JWC.  Members were advised that experienced officer expertise now lay at WDC and therefore it had been considered sensible to relinquish the role, after all it was a “Partnership” contract.  The Council would continue to make the best use of the shared knowledge, expertise and resources that the Partnership provided, ensuring that the JWC continued to operate effectively for the benefit of Rother’s residents.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    Rother District Council ceases to act as the Administering Authority for the Joint Waste Partnership from 1 April 2021; and

2)    Wealden District Council be appointed as the Joint Waste Administering Authority with effect from 1 April 2021.