Conference on waste policy in Wales

Tuesday 4th July 2017 Central Cardiff

This seminar focuses on developments in waste policy in Wales - including implications for local authorities, businesses and the communities they serve.

Delegates will discuss the implications for waste management, energy generation and the circular economy of Welsh Government’s target of recycling 70% of waste by 2025 and achieving a zero waste economy by 2050.

Scheduled at an important time for policy:

· Towards Zero Waste ( http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waste_recycling/zerowaste/?lang=en ) strategy  being updated by the Welsh Government,

with a significant new policy direction expected;

· Uncertainty over the future balance of powers between the National Assembly and UK Parliament in areas such as circular      economy and waste regulations following Brexit;

·The Welsh Government preparing to implement its own devolved Landfill Tax; and

Wide-ranging legislation with impact on waste policy taking effect, including the Environment (Wales) Act,( http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/natural-resources-management/environment-act/?lang=en) Well-being of Future Generation (Wales) Act ( http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/people/future-generations-act/?lang=en ) and Planning (Wales) Act ( http://gov.wales/topics/planning/legislation/planning-wales-act-2015/?lang=en ).

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• Waste management: key issues for local authorities, businesses and the waste management sector in delivering the 70% target, and engaging businesses and communities in reducing food waste;
• Energy from waste: progress on diverting waste from landfill, supporting, financing and delivering planned major EfW projects, the potential for further expansion within the sector, and challenges of local opposition; and
• Circular economy: examining strategies, innovative solutions and next steps for development.    

The agenda has been structured following consultation with the Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and Capital Law. The draft agenda is copied below my signature, and a regularly updated version is available to download here. The seminar is organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the Policy Forum for Wales. Follow us @PFWEvents for live updates. 

 

Speakers

We are delighted to be able to include in this seminar keynote addresses from: Becky Favager, Waste and Resources Manager, Natural Resources Wales; Nicola Mead-Batten, Associate, Capital Law; Carl Nichols, Head, Wrap Cymru and Andy Rees, Head of Waste Strategy Branch, Welsh Government.

 Further confirmed speakers include: Gareth Banks, Design Manager, Orangebox; Rebecca Colley-Jones, Director, Ynys Resources; Richard Edwards, Trustee, Fareshare Cymru and Chief Executive, Huggard; Rachel Jowitt, Head of Waste and Street Services, Monmouthshire County Council and Chair, All Wales Waste Heads of Service Network and a senior speaker confirmed from Eunomia.

Huw Irranca-Davies AM, Member, Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee has kindly agreed to chair part of this seminar.

 

Networking

This seminar will present an opportunity to engage with key policymakers and other interested parties, and is CPD certified.

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/cpd

Places have been reserved by officials from the Food Standards Agency; Health and Safety Executive and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from Dart Container Corporation; PlasticsEurope; Refurbs Flintshire and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff.

A press pass has been reserved by a representative from Haymarket Business Media.

Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group numbering around 100, including Members of the National Assembly for Wales and senior officials from the Welsh Government, regulators and other agencies, representatives of trade unions and local government, energy businesses, waste management companies, environmental consultancies, representatives from industry, specialist academics and charities, together with reporters from the national and trade press based in Wales and elsewhere.

Output

A key output of the seminar will be a transcript of the proceedings, sent out around 12 working days after the event to all attendees and a wider group of Ministers and officials in the Wales Office and Welsh Government departments affected by the issues; as well as Assembly Members with a special interest in the subject. It will also be made available more widely. This document will include transcripts of all speeches and questions and answers sessions from the day, along with access to PowerPoint presentations, speakers’ biographies, an attendee list, an agenda, sponsor information, as well as any subsequent press coverage of the day and any articles or comment pieces submitted by delegates. It is made available subject to strict restrictions on public use, and is intended to provide timely information for interested parties who are unable to attend on the day.

All delegates will receive complimentary PDF copies and are invited to contribute to the content.

 

Booking arrangements

To book places, please use our online booking form

Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions below.

 

Please pay in advance by credit card on 01344 864796. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able to make other arrangements.

 

Options and charges are as follows:

• Places at Policy on waste in Wales - next steps for management, energy generation and the circular economy (including refreshments and PDF copy of the transcripts) are £210 plus VAT;
• Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £80 plus VAT. Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.

For those who cannot attend:

• Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts of all speeches and the questions and comments sessions and further articles from interested parties, will be available approximately 12 days after the event for £95 plus VAT;
• Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT.

If you find the charge for places a barrier to attending, please let me know as concessionary and complimentary places are made available in certain circumstances (but do be advised that this typically applies to individual service users or carers or the like who are not supported by or part of an organisation, full-time students, people between jobs or who are fully retired with no paid work, and representatives of small charities - not businesses, individuals funded by an organisation, or larger charities/not-for-profit companies). Please note terms and conditions below (including cancellation charges).

 

Please click on the below link to book.