Date: 19th May 2011
MEDIA RELEASE
Community waste fund – cash could be better spent – claims Lib Dem Sykes
Councillor Howard Sykes, Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader expresses his dismay at the recent announcement that the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) is to re-launch the Community Waste Fund.
Councillor Sykes said: “I don’t doubt that there is merit in the Community Waste Fund and I wish those groups bidding for it well; however, it does nothing for tens of thousands of residents of Oldham, Shaw, Royton, Crompton and Saddleworth who are going to lose their rubbish and recycling facility at Beal Hey in Shaw. The £100K for this scheme would go a long way to keep this valuable facility open.”
“The GMWDA are spending considerable time, energy and money on an advertising campaign to encourage Community groups to bid for grants to improve recycling when my local community already has a hugely popular and very well used facility owned by the GMWDA at Beal Hey,” he added.
He continued: “Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority instead of spending time and money on needless advertising campaigns should focus on repaying the commitment to recycling shown by the citizens of this Borough and overturn the short-sighted and frankly ludicrous decision to close Beal Hey. That closure will result in longer journeys and a much increased carbon footprint for those prepared to travel the extra distance to Arkwright Street on the other side of Oldham.”
“My fear is fly-tipping will go through the roof locally and as a result Shaw & Crompton will become a much dirtier place,” claimed local Lib Dem Councillor Howard Sykes.
He concluded: “Beal Hey ticks all the boxes when it comes to getting the community involved in meeting the recycling target of 50% by 2020; it really is time the Waste Disposal Authority got its act together and proved they are as serious about recycling as the people of Shaw and Crompton are.”
ENDS /…
Copy of original GMWDA media release on this matter.
Community Waste Fund
Back by popular demand! -The GMWDA Community Waste Fund 2011
For 2011-12 the Community Waste Fund is bigger. Due to the success and oversubscription of the fund last year the Authority has agreed to increase the amount available to community groups to £100k, so this year we will be allocating the fund over two rounds.
We hope this will encourage more groups to apply and give groups more time to consider whether their project idea is relevant for the Fund. All of the criteria for applicants remain the same. However in the first round this year we want emphasise increasing our recycling rate across Greater Manchester.
Important dates for your funding calendar
The first funding round for 2011 will be open on 9th May 2011 and will close on 17th June 2011. The second funding round for this year will open on 5th December 2011 and close on the 20th January 2012. Just the same as last year applicants will be able to access the guidance for applicants online and will need to complete an initial online Expression of Interest Form.
Help us exceed a 50% recycling rate by 2020!
The aim of the fund is to provide funding for projects that will make an impact on the amount of waste produced in Greater Manchester. We are supporting projects that will positively impact on our Municipal Waste Management Strategy (MWMS) targets and help reach our goal of zero waste to landfill.
This year we are encouraging applications from projects that we help us increase recycling rates in Greater Manchester. Our aim is to get local groups such as tenants and residents groups and community groups to think of innovative ways to help residents to recycle right and to recycle more. Please note that applications for other projects that meet our criteria will still be considered.
To view the press release please click here.
Community Waste Fund NEWS UPDATE
2010 funded projects
Last year we supported 6 community organisations to help us reduce waste in Greater Manchester, however we had applications from more than 37 groups and so we had to make some very difficult decisions. All projects have started and are well underway.
Pearls Scrap Store – Rochdale: To increase the number and range of business donating ‘waste’ items and increase scrap store membership and activities with schools and community groups.
Project co-ordinator Tina Wright 01706 861811
www.scrapstoresuk.org
Wesley Community Furniture Project – Manchester: The project aims to increase the value of some ‘antique’ items donated for reuse through restoration and refurbishment, develop volunteer skills and increase revenue.
Project co-ordinator: Richard Lockwood 0161 232 0631
www.thewesley.org.uk
Rebuild – Bury: The project proposes to work with Rochdale Council to pilot a furniture re-use service in neighbouring areas of Rochdale.
Project co-ordinator Liz Jackson 0161 764 0444
www.rebuildbury.org.uk
Nationwide Cycling Academy-Bury: The project aims to develop a sustainable method to reuse unwanted bikes to provide affordable safe reconditioned bikes to increase access to affordable bikes for local communities and to enable volunteers to gain certified cycle maintenance training.
Project co-ordinator Julie Woodruff 0161 7739566
www.ncagb.co.uk
Monton Community Association- Salford: To undertake a 12- 24 month programme of waste prevention activities with Monton residents, community groups and businesses to reduce waste increase recycling and reuse by working directly with local people. The programme will also aim to increase recycling rates, reduce waste and develop community cohesion and involvement.
Project co-ordinator Joy Dent 07779608203
Emerge- Manchester: To develop a community champions volunteering project that will, over 12 months, recruit and train at least 10 reduce, reuse and recycle community champions in each district.
Project co-ordinator Denise Lambert 0161 2238200
www.emergemanchester.co.uk/
You told us how we could improve the Fund
This is only the second year of the fund and we are still learning and improving how we manage the Fund. In April we contacted every group that applied for funding in 2010 and asked them to tell us what they thought of the Community Waste Fund application process. We sent out 37 feedback forms and got a 13.5 % return. We received some very positive comments which suggested that we are going in the right direction. As a result of this feedback we have kept the application process the same as last year.
We have considered comments about the feedback process for unsuccessful applicants and, as a result we will be speeding up our feedback to unsuccessful projects and making our comments much clearer.
Some applicants wanted more support with completing the application form, so we will now ensure that all CVS’s in Greater Manchester are aware of the fund and able to support groups through the application process.
If you have any enquires regarding the Fund or Community Groups, then please email CommunityWasteFund@gmwda.gov.uk