DEFRA launches consultation on Waste Management Performance Reward Fund Grant << Back to Main News Page Added: Friday, 20 February 2004 DEFRA has launched a consultation on its proposals for the Waste Management Performance Reward Fund Grant, the scheme to replace the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund. The scheme is designed to provide incentives to local authorities to improve their waste management performance and achieve higher recycling and composting rates. The Performance Reward Grant is set to begin in 2005/6 with a funding allocation of £45 million, with this figure set to rise to £90 million over subsequent years. It will initially run in parallel with the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund for the first year. Part of this funding is to be made available as pump-priming to help local authorities finance investments required to meet performance criteria. The consultation on the Performance Reward Grant is seeking views on:  criteria for awarding funding  distribution of funds amongst the different local authority types  pump-priming grants  weighting rewards to account for the amount of waste managed  guaranteed minimum and maximum rewards  spreading payment of rewards over 2 years  detailed criteria for making grants in 2005/6 and 2006/7. Recoup welcomes the continuing availability of funding to encourage local councils to increase their recycling activity, but warns that such finance of local collections must be spent wisely. “It is vital that councils make the best use of the funding made available to them to ensure that their investments lead to efficient, high performing schemes. Public funding of recycling schemes must be viewed in terms of long-term achievements, rather than quick fixes for immediate targets.” said Andrew Simmons, Recoup CEO. “Using the funds to move towards integrated, multi-material kerbside initiatives will enable councils to provide a cost effective service, maximise participation and material yield, and ultimately achieve their statutory recycling targets.” Recoup will be considering the consultation and submitting a formal response. The consultation is due to close on 31st March 2004. Further information, together with copies of the consultation paper, click here