MEMORANDUM BY COUNTY DURHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
TRUST LIMITED (DSW 33)
I would like to supply information to the Select
Committee on the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme particularly in relation
to the projects supported by the County Durham Environmental Trust
(CDENT) using funds donated by the Durham County Waste Management
Group of Companies. I have attached a copy of the CDENT strategy
approved in April 2000.
(a) Issues highlighted in Select Committee
Press Notice
I attach a complete list of projects funded
to date by CDENT which are making a contribution to the following
objectives under investigation by the Select Committee.
— more efficient use of resources and
reduction in the amount of materials entering the waste stream;
— increase in recycling of waste;
— reduction in the amount of waste
sent to Landfill;
— education of the public about the
importance of Sustainable Waste Management.
I would draw the attention of the Select Committee
in particular to nine projects of direct relevance to these objectives.
CDENT 2—Susbus—research project—gas
refining for running vehicles on Landfill Gas.
CDENT 3—School Waste—appointment
of Project Officer to work with schools on waste related projects.
CDENT 7—Sustainable Communities Campaign—funding
for the waste minimisation element.
CDENT 8—County Durham Local Agenda 21
Sustainability Action Plan—printing and circulation of document.
CDENT 9—County Durham Local Agenda 21
Community Waste Fund—grant scheme to encourage small scale
community waste related projects.
CDENT 12—Darlington Home Composting Scheme—supply
and study of use of Home Composters.
CDENT 14—County Durham Local Agenda 21
Waste Round Table—sponsorship of conferences, leaflets and
administration.
CDENT 22—Waste Wood for Warmth in County
Durham—research on retrieving waste wood from landfill sites,
developing as a suitable fuel, transporting, storage and substituting
fossil heating fuels used in boilers in appropriate buildings.
CDENT/TVWT Project A—North East Recycling
Initiative—the initiative is designed to initiate and support
re-cycling provision with provision of infrastructure, collection
containers for post consumer cans, glass, paper, textiles and
plastics and the provision of collection services. Within County
Durham special emphasis is placed on provision in rural areas.
(b) Comments on Government's Waste Strategy
PARAS 3.31 TO
3.33
CDENT supports the Government's intention to
use the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme to help deliver an increase
in recycling and to explore ways of increasing the contribution
by non-profit making, non-public and community groupings. Nevertheless
we consider that it is necessary for the public sector to take
the lead by effective management of the household waste stream
and that necessary resources need to be available for local authorities
to undertake this task to an appropriate standard. Such resources
should be provided by mainstream funding rather than by means
of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.
PARA 3.34
Major environmental bodies including CDENT should
be consulted to enable them to contribute ideas and practical
suggestions on the proposals. It should be noted that in accordance
with the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme provisions these bodies are
independent and separate from landfill site operators and local
authorities and therefore have a distinctive contribution to be
taken into account.
PARA 3.35
One of the strengths of the present Landfill
Tax Credit Scheme is the range of environmental initiatives which
can be encouraged. While CDENT would have no objection in principle
to indicative guidelines to help prioritise more sustainable waste
initiatives it is important that consultation on proposals includes
major environmental bodies such as CDENT, who have experience
of the broader range of environmental initiatives, to ensure that
some of the other objectives of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
are not overlooked.
CDENT supports the need for landfill operators
and environmental bodies to work closely with local authorities
and indeed has done so in preparation of its own Strategy and
in implementation of projects.
September 2000
STRATEGY—APRIL 2000
I. INTRODUCTION
The County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT)
was established in April 1997 following an initiative of Durham
County Council and the Durham County Waste Management Company.
It aims to maximise benefit to the environment by use of the landfill
tax credit scheme. CDENT is a limited company independent of local
authorities and landfill operators; it is served by a Chairman,
five non-executive directors a part-time Company Secretary/Executive
Officer and one full-time member of staff. PricewaterhouseCoopers
act as auditors.
This strategy, approved by the Board in April
2000, is a development of the strategy issued in April 1998 and
an initial strategy prepared in November 1997.
II. NATIONAL
CONTEXT
The aim of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme under
the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996 is to encourage landfill site
operators to make contributions to approved bodies for spending
on specified environmental objectives. Under the scheme landfill
tax operators can claim a tax credit for voluntary contributions
to approved bodies whose objects are or include the protection
of the environment.
Approved environmental bodies may spend the
contributions which they receive from landfill site operators
on approved objects for the protection of the environment currently
as follows:
(a) reclamation, remediation, restoration
or any other operation that facilitates the economic, social or
environmental use of land where its use has been prevented or
restricted because of previous use;
(b) any operation intended to prevent or
reduce any potential for pollution or to remedy or mitigate the
effects of any pollution on land polluted by a previous activity;
(c) research and development, education or
collection and dissemination of information about waste management
practices so as to encourage the use of more sustainable waste
management practices or for the purpose of encouraging the development
of products from waste or the development of markets for recycled
waste;
(d) the provision, maintenance or improvement
of a public park or other public amenity in the vicinity of a
landfill site;
(e) the maintenance, repair or restoration
of a building or other structure which is a place of religious
worship or of historic or architectural interest;
(f) the provision of financial, administration
and other similar services to other enrolled environmental bodies.
In addition there are a number of conditions
which affect an environmental body's ability to participate in
the scheme.
— must be non-profit distributing body;
— objects and work under the scheme
must not solely benefit individual site operators who contribute
to the organisation and receive a credit of landfill tax under
the scheme;
— must not be controlled by a local
authority or a body corporate controlled by one or more local
authorities or by a site operator; and
— none of the work funded is required
to be done by a site operator under any statutory notice or consent.
The national requirements of the Landfill Tax
Credit Scheme have been encapsulated in the Memorandum and Articles
of Association of County Durham Environmental Trust Limited which
has been enrolled as an approved body by ENTRUST—the national
regulatory body established to oversee the scheme.
III. MAIN PURPOSE
OF CDENT
It is the aim of CDENT to benefit the environment
by encouraging the use of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and to
use resultant resources on selected projects, programmes and activities
which offer the prospect of significant and lasting benefit for
the environment and people in the areas served by the contributing
waste management company. CDENT will strive for a record of achievement
which will place it in the forefront of environmental bodies operating
in the United Kingdom.
IV. OPERATING
PRINCIPLES
CDENT has adopted the following operating principles.
1. Initiative
CDENT will define its strategy and priorities
for funding and will update these from time to time in the light
of changing circumstances. The strategy and priorities will be
used in initiating ideas for discussion, in securing contributions
and action on implementing priorities and in responding to approaches
received.
2. Partnership and Liaison
CDENT will seek to complement rather than compete
with other bodies already active for the benefit of the environment
and will seek to liaise with them in identifying and implementing
priorities in ways which are compatible with the statutory development
plan framework and relevant environmental strategies and programmes.
CDENT will make use of available information, expertise and services
and will seek to maximise opportunities for matching funding and
use of on-going programmes. Wherever appropriate CDENT will work
through other bodies to implement its objectives.
3. Public Involvement
CDENT will seek to stimulate public understanding
and interest in its role and performance. Community commitment
and involvement in schemes funded by CDENT will be sought and
encouraged. Comprehensive information on the work of CDENT will
be available from the web site, press releases and the twice yearly
"Green Light" newsletter.
4. Financial Stewardship
CDENT will operate in accordance with good financial
practice, Landfill Tax Regulations and the requirements of ENTRUST.
Funding will not be given for work required under statutory responsibility.
Commitments will not be entered into until necessary resources
are secure. Income not required immediately will be invested to
ensure that resources are maximised under the Landfill Tax Credit
Scheme.
5. Sustainable Development
CDENT will seek to foster the principles of
sustainable development and in particular will seek to encourage
understanding and use of sustainable waste management practices
within the context of the national waste strategy hierarchy covering:
— recovery (including recycling, composting
and energy);
V. LANDFILL OPERATOR
DONATIONS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
CDENT is willing to receive donations and contributions
from landfill operators and from other sources and will discuss
with donors as to how the resources might be deployed. Public
recognition will be given to the source of funds.
CDENT has reached an understanding with Durham
County Waste Management Company that voluntary contributions under
the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme will be made on an on-going basis
arising from the operations of the Company in the County Durham,
Darlington and Sunderland areas. The position in other areas covered
by the Durham County Waste Management Company will be kept under
review.
CDENT is willing to enter into arrangements
with other donors including waste management companies and other
environmental bodies should an appropriate opportunity arise for
relevant joint or single initiatives. CDENT currently acts as
agents for Lafarge Redland in this respect.
The regulations allow for the 10 per cent donation
necessary to draw down landfill tax credits to be contributed
by a third party. Third parties can be private companies, public
sector organisations, charities, voluntary bodies or individuals.
They must however be independent of approved environmental bodies
and must not gain a unique benefit from the project to which they
have contributed. Third party donations must be paid directly
to the landfill operator which must inform ENTRUST of their receipt.
CDENT assumes that wherever possible the landfill
operator will make the 10 per cent donation but, to achieve maximum
financial benefit under the landfill tax credit scheme, CDENT
will actively pursue third party donations where necessary to
enable full use to be made of the credits available in the area.
VI. PRIORITIES
FOR FUNDING
From an assessment of potential environmental
benefits to be gained and bearing in mind other initiatives already
underway in the area, CDENT has, in consultation with the donating
waste management company, identified four fundamental objectives.
These will be used to guide the selection for funding of a range
of projects of substantial and lasting benefit to form the focus
of the work of CDENT within the Landfill Tax objectives reproduced
in Section II.
1. To ameliorate and offset the direct impact
of licensed waste management sites on local communities by means
of environmental improvement
This objective will be pursued in several ways.
(a) On Site
CDENT will seek to identify with Waste Management
Companies any appropriate opportunities for additional restoration
initiatives to follow on from those implemented in accordance
with statutory consents.
(b) Immediate Locality
The Initial Strategy set out the intention of
CDENT to target locations adjacent to or within close proximity
of landfill sites and household waste sites operated by companies
making voluntary donations in order to benefit initially those
communities most directly affected.
Sites operated by Durham County Waste Management
Company are shown in Appendices A and B.
The 1997 Strategy focused initially on the potential
within close proximity of the following three sites:
— Todhills, Scoby Scaur, Newfield
Major schemes are being implemented in the vicinity
of the sites at Birtley and Coxhoe but progress on a major initiative
at Newfield has been frustrated by difficulties of land acquisition.
Some funding has been provided to a Millennium Green for Newfield.
The position will be kept under review.
Substantial schemes have been agreed in the
vicinity of the following two sites:
The possible scope for environmental improvements
in the vicinity of other sites will be kept under review.
(c) Area-wide Initiatives and programmes
In view of the widespread distribution of present
and former landfill sites, and in recognition that waste management
operations inevitably impact on areas originating as well as receiving
waste and on areas through which waste is transported, CDENT will
seek to encourage some area-wide initiatives and programmes to
promote environmental improvements throughout the area in which
CDENT has an interest.
2. To encourage the use of more sustainable
waste management practices
CDENT will pursue this objective within its
operating area in a number of ways in the context of government
and local authority waste management strategies.
(a) Learning from Experience:
— CDENT will encourage applied research
on former waste sites in the local area to assist in reducing
the potential for subsequent pollution and to assist in development
of more sustainable practices.
(b) Innovation, Experimentation and Demonstration:
— CDENT will encourage the development
of local projects aimed at improving waste management practices
within the industry and the community. Funding will be conditional
on the publication of research results for the benefit of all.
(c) Education and Training:
— CDENT will seek to encourage understanding
and practical application of more sustainable waste management
practices:
— in colleges and universities;
— in industry and commerce;
(d) Products and Markets:
— In response to the recent addition
to Landfill Tax objects, CDENT will examine the potential in the
local area for stimulating research and development, education
and collection or dissemination of information for the purpose
of encouraging the development of products from waste or the development
of markets for recycled waste.
3. To foster the Local Agenda 21 process
CDENT will seek to play an active role within
the local partnerships and will consider support for relevant
funding initiatives, relating particularly to encouraging the
use of more sustainable waste management practices.
4. To assist local projects of more than
local significance
CDENT will consider support for local initiatives
which comply with national Landfill Tax Credit Scheme requirements
and are of more than local significance eg projects relating to
a broad area or which are of recognised regional or national importance.
From time to time opportunities may arise for
funding to be attracted from national or European Initiatives.
In some cases significant local funding gaps exists. CDENT will
consider giving some support for such approved schemes in its
area of interest provided the CDENT contribution facilitates a
significant input of external funding.
VII. OTHER FUNDING
POSSIBILITIES
Consideration may be given to the possibility
of funding other significant and innovative proposals complying
with the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme requirements as opportunities
arise and resources permit.
Funding will not normally be provided to meet
maintenance, repair or restoration costs of a building or structure
which is a place of religious worship or of historic or architectural
interest.
VIII. REVIEW
CDENT will keep the Strategy under review and
will revise it from time to time, as appropriate, in the light
of changing circumstances.
APPENDIX A
DURHAM COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SITES
| LANDFILL SITES
|
| Area (acres) | Estimated Remaining Life (years)
|
| Bolam | 40 | 6
|
| Browns House, Frosterley | 12.75
| To close 2000 |
| Chapman's Well | 16.55 |
2 |
| Cockfield | 9.2 | 4
|
| Joint Stocks, Coxhoe | 70.2
| 15 |
| St Bede's, Birtley | 56.8 |
2 |
| Todhills, Newfield | 41.5 |
7 |
WASTE TREATMENT/TRANSFER PLANTS
|
| Annfield Plain |
| Heighington Lane, Newton Aycliffe
|
| Thornley |
| Middlefields, South Shields |
| Pilgrims Way, Jarrow |
| Capitol Systems, North Shields |
| HOUSEHOLD WASTE SITES |
| Annfield Plain Waste Treatment Plant
|
| Brooms Dene, Nr Leadgate |
| Browns Houses, Frosterley |
| Coxhoe |
| Cragwood, Nr Cockfield |
| Drinkfield Road, Darlington |
| Hett Hills, Nr Chester le Street |
| Horden |
| Strangford Road, Seaham |
| Heighington Lane, Newton Aycliffe
|
| Middleton in Teesdale |
| Potterhouse Lane, Pity Me |
| Romanway, Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland
|
| Scoby Scaur, Newfield, Willington
|
| Stainton Grove, Nr Barnard Castle
|
| Thornley Station Waste Treatment Plant
|
| Tudhoe |
APPENDIX B
WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES IN COUNTY DURHAM, DARLINGTON
AND SUNDERLAND
APPENDIX C
LIST OF PROJECTS CURRENTLY SUPPORTED BY CDENT/AGREED IN
PRINCIPLE
1. To ameliorate the direct impact of operational landfill
sites on local communities by means of environmental improvement
CDENT 1—Great North Forest—purchase and planting
of 60 acres of woodland (project value £350,000) adjacent
to St Bedes waste disposal site, Chester le Street. CDENT donation
£225,000.
CDENT 6—Hedgerow Partnership—liaison with Local
Authorities and FWAG to improve and replace hedgerows in the CDENT
area of operation. CDENT donation £87,000.
CDENT 11—Community Environment Fund—scheme to
encourage small scale environmental improvement projects within
the area. Fifty two projects given grants to date (Administered
by County Durham Foundation on behalf of CDENT). CDENT donation
£100,000.
CDENT 15—Five Villages "Waste to Wildlife"
Project—restore the landscape around Coxhoe, Quarrington
Hill, Kelloe, Cassop, and Bowburn including footpath/cycle links
and nature reserve. CDENT donation £225,000.
CDENT 20—Graffiti Clean Initiative—A project
managed by the County Durham Probation Service to environmentally
improve areas within the vicinity of landfill sites in County
Durham and Darlington by removing graffiti quickly from areas
thereby reducing other vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The
funding from CDENT will be used to cover the cost of graffiti
removal materials. CDENT donation £50,000.
CDENT 23—The Kyo Greenways Project—To create
a network of landscaped recreation areas and connecting routes
through the urban fringe area between Dipton, Stanley and Annfield
Plain in Derwentside, County Durham. CDENT donation £100,000.
CDENT 25—Dry Stone Wall Restoration Project—Restoration
of roadside dry stone walls in the EEC 5b area of Teesdale so
as to improve the overall impact of the environment for residents
and visitors to the area. CDENT donation £11,000
CDENT 27—Manor House Wood, Medomsley—Acquisition
and development of 1.5 hectares of woodland including the capping
of a mine shaft and work to environmentally improve a public amenity
site for use by school children and the local community. CDENT
donation £5,750.
CDENT 29—Wolsingham Market Place—Improvement
to the market place so as to enhance public amenity for the community
and visitors. CDENT donation £25,000.
CDENT 30—Cockfield—Environmental improvements
in and around Cockfield. CDENT donation £50,000.
2. To encourage the use of more sustainable waste management
practices
CDENT 2—Susbus—research project—gas refining
for running vehicles on Landfill Gas. CDENT donation £212,000.
CDENT 3—School Waste—appointment of Project Officer
to work with Schools in the CDENT operating area on waste related
projects. CDENT donation £95,000.
CDENT 4—Leachate Treatment—research project to
detect and remedy Leachate problems on a waste disposal site.
CDENT donation £73,000.
CDENT 10—Contamination Demonstration Project—contaminated
land study—research project on previously reclaimed site
to investigate contamination at Bowden Close, Crook. CDENT donation
£37,000
CDENT 12—Darlington Home Composting Scheme—supply
and study of use of Home Composters within the Darlington area.
CDENT donation £15,000
CDENT 21—North East Contaminated Land Forum—To
discuss and review standards and procedures adopted by government
and support local practitioners in contaminated land investigations
and remediation. This proposal is to cover costs associated with
the production of a directory of sites previously remediated and
the lessons learned. CDENT donation £10,000.
CDENT 22—Waste Wood for Warmth in County Durham—Research
on retrieving waste wood from landfill sites, sorting, developing
as a suitable fuel, transporting, storage and substituting fossil
heating fuels used in boilers in appropriate buildings. CDENT
donation £15,000.
CDENT/TVWT Project A—North East Recycling Initiative—the
initiative is designed to initiate and support re-cycling provision
throughout the North East of England with provision of infrastructure,
collection containers for post consumer cans, glass, paper, textiles
and plastics and the provision of collection services. (Overall
project value £800,000, £635,000 committed to date).
CDENT donation £635,000.
CDENT/EBC Ltd Project B—National Conferences and Exhibitions—A
major Conference and Exhibition in Newcastle forming part of the
National Investigation into how private and public organisations
involved in Land Regeneration and Urban Renewal are responding
to the challenge of sustainable development. CDENT donation £27,500.
3. To foster the Local Agenda 21 process
CDENT 7—Sustainable Communities Campaign—Funding
for the waste minimisation element of this project. CDENT donation
£12,000.
CDENT 8—County Durham Local Agenda 21 Sustainability
Action Plan—printing and circulation of document. CDENT
donation £23,000.
CDENT 9—County Durham Local Agenda 21 Community Waste
Fund—scheme to encourage small scale waste related projects
in the area. 22 projects given grants to date. (Administered by
County Durham Foundation on behalf of CDENT). CDENT donation £90,000.
CDENT 14—County Durham Local Agenda 21 Waste Round
Table—sponsorship of conferences, leaflets and administration.
CDENT donation £10,000.
4. To enable national funding opportunities to be harnessed
within the CDENT operating area
CDENT 5—Millennium Greens—support to help the
completion of Millennium Greens in the CDENT area of operation
including Great Lumley, Winston, Waldridge, Tow Law, Newfield,
Trimdon and Shildon. CDENT donation £150,000.
CDENT 13—Ryhope Area Land Reclamation and Millennium
Cycle Network—reclamation of a derelict railway line, construction
and upgrading of cycleways and associated environmental improvements
linking with County Durham cycle network. CDENT donation £100,000.
CDENT 24—Killhope Lead Mining Centre Woodland project—The
project will open up new areas of woodland at Killhope and improve
the appearance of the countryside. It will convert an area of
spruce monoculture plantation to a more open and varied habitat
with the introduction of native broad-leaved species, for the
enjoyment of visitors. CDENT donation £17,000.
CDENT 26—Bowes Museum Access Gates—Removal of
dwarf stone wall and its replacement with additional railings.
The existing gates and railings will be conserved and restored
allowing the main central gates to be opened and closed as necessary.
The railings on either side of the main gates will then be converted
to "in" and "out" gates providing improved
access for coaches and other traffic. New paving and lighting
will complete the scheme. CDENT donation £30,000.
TOTAL £2,430,250
March 2000
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