The Lincolnshire Waste Partnership met to discuss the review of its Terms of Reference and to consider a draft communications plan for the rollout of Simpler Recycling reforms. The meeting also included partner updates on waste management initiatives across the county and a review of the Partnership's Forward Plan.

Lincolnshire Waste Partnership Terms of Reference Review

The Partnership was scheduled to consider a report recommending a review of its Terms of Reference (ToR). The current ToR, last reviewed in 2023, state that they should be reviewed every two years to ensure the Partnership can effectively meet its main roles. These roles include focusing stakeholders on the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, monitoring performance, assessing the impacts of change, ensuring communication between partners, and agreeing on a unified Lincolnshire position on national waste management issues. The report suggested that the Partnership discuss and review the existing ToR, which are detailed in Appendix 1 of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership Terms of Reference Review.

Waste Communications Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a report by Rachel Stamp, Waste Partnerships and Projects Manager, concerning the draft communications plan for the rollout of the Simpler Recycling reforms, specifically focusing on separate food waste collections. This plan is designed to support the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership (LWP) in implementing these changes, mandated by the Environment Act 2021, by providing consistent messaging to maximise participation. The aim is to divert food waste to anaerobic digestion, thereby reducing waste sent for recovery and increasing recycling rates across the county.

The draft communications plan, detailed in the Food Waste Collections Communications Update and its appendices, outlines a multi-channel approach to inform over 320,000 households. Key messages focus on the environmental and financial benefits of separating food waste, how to use the provided caddies and liners, and reassurance of ongoing support. The plan details various communication channels, including direct mail, social media, school programmes, and community events, with specific tactics tailored for different audiences and local challenges. It also includes an evaluation framework to track awareness, participation, and contamination levels, alongside risk mitigation strategies. The report also included a proposed schedule for delivery, detailed in Appendix B - Food Waste Collections Communication Schedule.

Lincolnshire Waste Partnership Forward Plan

The Partnership was scheduled to consider its Forward Plan for 2025-26. This plan outlines the key items proposed for discussion at future meetings. Suggestions for inclusion in the Forward Plan included a review of the Terms of Reference at the next meeting, an examination of what a single waste authority might look like in light of local government reorganisation, and an analysis of traffic movements and usage at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), particularly in response to queuing traffic at the Bourne site. There was also a suggestion to investigate access to HWRCs for those without vehicles and to consider access to cross-border sites. It was also proposed that the Performance Update scheduled for the July meeting be removed, as the data would be the same as that presented at this meeting. The Forward Plan is available in the Forward plan July 2025 document.

Partner Updates

The meeting agenda included a slot for Partner Updates, where representatives from each of the constituent councils within the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership would provide verbal reports on their waste management activities. These updates typically cover progress on new vehicle procurements, depot projects, food waste collection rollouts, and initiatives to tackle issues such as fly-tipping and contamination.

Regulatory and Legislation Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on relevant legislative and regulatory changes impacting waste management. This would likely include information on national policy developments, such as the Simpler Recycling reforms and the Environment Act 2021, as well as any new guidance or requirements from DEFRA.

Performance Measure Update

The meeting was also set to receive an update on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure progress against the vision and objectives of the LWP's Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy. This would likely include data on recycling rates, waste tonnage, and contamination levels, providing an overview of the Partnership's performance.