Chairman is set to continue the ‘aim is zero waste’

Councillor Neil Swannick reappointed as Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA)

Councillor Neil Swannick has been reappointed as the Chairman of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA). Councillor Swannick was first elected as Chairman in 2001 and is continuing to drive forward the Recycling and Waste Management Contract and the Authority’s aim of zero waste to landfill.

Councillor Swannick, a Labour Member for Manchester, has played a crucial role within the Authority over the past 12 years. In recent years his focus has been on the delivery of the state of the art facilities that have been developed as part of the Recycling and Waste Management Contract in Greater Manchester. 38 out of the 42 facilities have been completed and are currently managing the 1.1 million tonnes of municipal waste generated each year.

In 2011, the Authority approved new governance arrangements which have proved to be a success and will continue into 2012/13. There are 3 committees which look at the different areas the Authority covers, please see below for a summary of these committees and a brief insight into what areas are covered.

The Recycling and Waste Management Operations Committee reviews the performance and implementation of the Recycling and Waste Management Contract, monitors the construction of the facilities and considers any improvements or changes in relation to Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). Councillor Catherine Piddington, Labour Member for Tameside has been appointed Chair of the Committee and Councillor Michael Young, Conservative Member for Trafford has been appointed as the Deputy.

The Performance, Policy and Resources Committee looks at the overall budget, strategy and policy relating to sustainability, climate change and environmental issues and the Corporate Plan. Councillor Tony Cummings, Labour Member for Bury will chair the committee and Councillor Ray Mashiter, Labour Member for Salford has been appointed as his deputy.

The Strategy and Behavioural Change Committee focuses on raising awareness, waste minimisation, working with the community through the community waste fund and encouraging residents’ to reduce, re-use and recycle. Councillor Chris Gordon, Liberal Democrat Member for Stockport has been appointed Chair for this meeting and Councillor Nigel Murphy, Labour Member for Manchester has been appointed as his Deputy.

Councillor Neil Swannick commented: “I am pleased to be reappointed as Chair and welcome new and existing Members onto the Authority. I am looking forward to another year of challenges and continuing the ambitious, yet achievable targets we have set of 50% recycling and composting and 75% landfill diversion. It is only with residents’ support that we can reach our aim of zero waste to landfill.”