The South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee met to review contract performance, communications, carbon management, budget outturn, and the future work programme. Discussions were scheduled to cover updates on various waste management contracts, engagement activities, carbon emissions from residual waste treatment, the partnership's financial position for the previous year, and plans for social value initiatives.

Contracts Performance Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the performance of the South London Waste Partnership's (SLWP) various waste management contracts. This included a review of the residual waste treatment services provided by Viridor at the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), covering aspects such as facility availability, landfill diversion rates, vehicle turnaround times, and emissions data. The report was expected to detail any emissions exceedances, such as those for Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide, and the ongoing investigation into a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) calibration issue.

Performance of the Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HRRCs) and Waste Transfer Stations managed by Veolia was also scheduled for discussion, focusing on site user experience, health and safety, and recycling performance. The report was to provide details on the tonnage of materials collected and recycled, as well as ongoing projects at HRRCs, including soil separation, reuse shops, rubble charging schemes, and booking systems for vans and cars.

Updates on food and green waste treatment services were to be presented, detailing the volumes collected and treated, and addressing any compliance issues, such as those previously experienced at the Biocollectors facility concerning odour.

The performance of the dry recyclables management contracts, handled by Suez, Edwards Recycling, and Veolia ES (UK) Ltd, was to be reviewed, including volumes collected by borough and contractor, and the composition of paper/card and container mix recyclables.

Finally, the report was to cover the recycling of mechanical street sweeping wastes, detailing volumes collected and the composition of the recovered materials. The committee was asked to note the latest position with the ERF residual waste treatment contract and comment on the performance of the partnership's various waste management contracts.

Communications and Engagement Update

This report was scheduled to provide an update on communications and stakeholder engagement activities relating to the SLWP's residual waste treatment services, HRRC services, food and green waste treatment services, and the marketing of recyclates. The update was to cover the period between November 2025 and April 2026.

Key objectives from the SLWP Communications and Engagement Strategy 2025-2030 were to be discussed, including attracting external funding for sub-regional waste awareness campaigns, improving trust in local recycling systems, and raising awareness of efforts to reduce the carbon impact of waste treatment services. The report was expected to detail progress on initiatives such as the Waste Watch annual report, facility tours, social value projects, and the What's Your Plastic Solution? campaign.

Discussions were also planned around maintaining resident support for energy recovery as an alternative to landfill, and maintaining high resident satisfaction levels with HRRCs. The development of the SLWP website and digital communication channels to tell a compelling story about the waste challenge was also on the agenda. Specific updates were anticipated regarding the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), including emissions information shared via the Virtual Visitor Centre, community newsletters, and the Beddington Community Liaison Group meetings.

Carbon Management Plan - Residual Waste Treatment Contract

This report was intended to introduce the Carbon Management Plan and Annual Reports (for Reporting Years 1-6) prepared by Viridor concerning the SLWP's residual waste treatment contract. The plan was expected to detail the progress made in reducing carbon emissions associated with residual waste treatment, showing an average reduction of over one-third since 2017. The report was to present the apportionment of these carbon emissions to each of the four partner boroughs.

The committee was asked to note the contents of the Carbon Management Plan and Annual Reports and agree to their publication on the SLWP and/or Beddington ERF websites. The report was to provide a detailed breakdown of carbon emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and compare them against a baseline year of 2017. It was also to explain the calculation methodologies used and the carbon benefits derived from the contract, such as landfill diversion and the displacement of grid-generated electricity.

South London Waste Partnership Budget Outturn 2025/26

This report was to summarise the outturn position of the Partnership's budget for the 2025/26 financial year. It was expected to detail any overspend or underspend against the approved budget, providing a breakdown by category and by borough. The report was to highlight any additional costs incurred outside of the agreed budget, such as legal support costs. The committee was asked to note the content of the report.

SLWP Work Programme 2025 to 2030 with Social Value Update

This report was intended to provide an update on the SLWP Work Programme for 2025 to 2030 and present further details on the SLWP's social value activities for the period. The recommendation was for members to note and provide feedback on the SLWP Work Programme and the SLWP Social Value Plan 2025 to 2030.

Key points were expected to include the SLWP's move towards a consistent approach to social value across all future contracts, allocating 10% of evaluation criteria to ensure measurable community benefits. The report was to outline how social value commitments are managed across the partnership's contracts and detail the transition to a new approach, including the establishment of a ring-fenced social value fund managed by contractors. Case studies of social value activities delivered through existing contracts, such as the Beddington Community Fund and initiatives by SUEZ and Veolia, were likely to be included.