Partner Article

Local authority chiefs outline sustainable future

Plans to keep the North East at the cutting edge of sustainability and waste handling were outlined at a conference this week.

Local authority chiefs from throughout the region met at the first-ever North East Sustainable Waste Conference, organised by the North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NEIEP) on Tuesday 13 October.

The conference debated the issues surrounding the future of waste handling in the region, including ensuring wholesale reduction of its environmental impact, finding ways to cut the amount of waste sent to landfill, improved recycling levels and implementing better carbon management.

Organisers said they had witnessed an ‘overwhelming response’ to the event, as 75 delegates heard keynote addresses from Mark Bramah, Assistant Chief Executive of Public Service Excellence, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Chief Executive Paul Walker, and Andrew Smith, Senior Environment Officer at Government North East.

Paul Walker said: “The issues we are dealing with here are among the key concerns for both councils and residents alike – it is vital that we appreciate our mutual responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment around us.

“From day one we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm generated by this conference. There was an impressive turnout, from fellow council leaders, senior waste officers and a variety of partner organisations.

“We are confident that taking this approach, sharing best practice, views and experience will make a valuable contribution to generating the most efficient use of resources across the region. This will be a major benefit for councils as they constantly seek to find the best and most efficient ways to use resources and serve the needs of North East residents.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .