The South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee met to discuss communications and stakeholder engagement, contract performance, and budget updates. The committee approved the proposed management budget for 2026/27, which will be £177,000 per borough, and noted the contents of the communications and engagement update, the contracts performance report, and the budget update for 2025/26.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

Beddington Energy Recovery Facility (ERF)

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Beddington ERF, particularly regarding a historic calibration error affecting Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emissions.

John Haynes, SLWP Communications Advisor, explained that the error, which involved insufficient urea being fed into the abatement system¹, led to 916 exceedances of oxides of nitrogen over an 18-month period.

The error was only spotted after 18 months. So it was discovered in March 2024. But it had been happening since August 2022 when the last recalibration of the system had taken place.

John Haynes, SLWP Communications Advisor

The Environment Agency (EA) conducted an investigation and issued a compliance assessment report to Viridor with 16 breaches of the permit. Despite the breaches, the EA determined that none of the exceedances individually were likely to have caused a significant environmental impact.

Councillor Scott Roche, Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, sought confirmation on the next steps for the EA's investigation and asked about a recent increase in sulphur dioxide emissions. Simon Bussell, Head of Contracts, responded that the EA requested further information from Viridor, with a deadline at the end of December for updated operating procedures. The EA will then conduct another audit of the facility. Regarding the sulphur dioxide exceedance, this was attributed to an error in waste received at the facility and has been reported to the EA.

Councillor Roche reiterated the committee's opposition to Viridor's application to increase the amount of waste treated at the facility, citing concerns about data reporting and transparency. Andrea Keys, SLWP Partnership Director, confirmed that the SLWP had made its position clear and requested Viridor withdraw the permit variation application.

Communications and Engagement

John Haynes, SLWP Communications Advisor, presented an update on communications and stakeholder engagement activities, referencing the Communications and Engagement Strategy approved in June 2025. The report covered activities between May and October 2025, focusing on:

• Sub-regional waste awareness campaigns, including the What's Your Plastic Solution campaign.
• Improving trust in recycling systems through the publication of 'Waste Watch' reports and facility tours.
• Raising awareness of carbon emissions and the importance of reducing the carbon impacts of waste treatment services.
• Maintaining resident support for energy recovery at the Beddington ERF.
• Maintaining high resident satisfaction levels at Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HRRCs).
• Developing the SLWP website and digital communication channels.

Contracts Performance

Simon Bussell, Head of Contracts, provided an update on the performance of various contracts, including food and green waste treatment, HRRC services, residual waste treatment, and dry recyclables management. Key points included:

• A 6% decrease in food waste tonnage and a 17.8% decrease in green waste tonnage, linked to the dry summer.
• Slight increase in recycling performance at HRRCs, despite the dry summer.
• An update on the Biocollectors AD facility in Mitcham, where improvement works are nearing completion.
• A slight increase in waste volumes to the Beddington ERF.
• Details of the CEMS calibration matter at the Beddington ERF.
• An update on the new dry recyclables management contracts, noting low contamination levels.

Councillor Robert Ward, Deputy Cabinet Member for Contract Management, asked about the location of the landfill used during the Beddington ERF's maintenance shutdown, and whether there were extra costs. Simon Bussell, Head of Contracts, confirmed it was in Buckinghamshire and there were no extra costs.

Councillor Ward also asked if the reduction in cross-contamination of recyclables was due to better extraction methods or residents putting items in the correct bins. Simon Bussell, Head of Contracts, credited residents for putting the right things in the right bins.

Councillor Orwell raised concerns about queuing times for vehicles at the Beddington ERF and the potential waste of resources. Simon Bussell, Head of Contracts, acknowledged the issue and stated that they are working with Viridor to reduce queuing times.

Budget

Francesco Grieco, Head of Finance & Business Intelligence, presented a budget update for 2025/26, forecasting an overspend of £20,575 due to unbudgeted legal costs and an overspend in the core activity budget.

Andrea Keys, SLWP Partnership Director, presented the proposed management budget for 2026/27, recommending a budget of £707,000, representing an annual cost of £177,000 per borough. The increase was attributed to a new legal budget, inflation applied to staffing costs, and an annual increase for data and storage costs. The committee approved the proposed budget.