The British Library Conference Centre in London was an impressive venue for RLCL’s spring local authority seminar on Best Value in Waste. 

Around 50 delegates drawn from local authorities throughout the country heard presentations from Peter Maudsley, Director of Environment & Leisure at Waverley Borough Council, and Moira Billing, Biffa’s Municipal Tendering Manager.  Richard McAree, Senior Consultant outlined three case studies on waste strategy development.  Len Attrill, Associate of RLCL drew the lessons and issues of the previous presentations together, highlighting how Best Value can be achieved without unreasonable contract price increases. 

An extended period was set aside for a question and answer session which resulted in a lively and informative discussion and a valued opportunity for delegates to share experiences. 

It was from the repository of knowledge to the home of sporting excellence for RLCL’s autumn seminar.  The McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, was the venue and the subject was WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).  An opening address by Bill O’Brien, MP for Normanton and Chair of the Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group, was followed by a presentation by Jane Forshaw, Chief Executive of Urban Mines entitled ‘The Sustainable Growth Park - thinking out of the bin’.  Elaine Kerrell of SWAP explained the detail and timetable of the WEEE Directive, and Stephen Robinson, Associate of RLCL, discussed the implications for local authorities and the development of strategies to cope with the situation.  The afternoon saw a visit to Urban Mines’ Extended Life Computers facility in Huddersfield, where ailing PCs can be given a new lease of life. 

RLCL’s seminars for local authorities are held on a regular basis.  They cover topical issues and aim to provide practical advice and opportunities to share experiences with other delegates - all for a cost effective seminar fee.  Details of forthcoming events are sent out by mailshot to all relevant authorities and also appear on RLCL’s web site.