The Environment Select Committee met to discuss the Waste Transformation Programme, air quality, and a local nature recovery strategy. They agreed to form a Waste Transformation Scrutiny Task Group and supported a draft air quality plan. The committee also reviewed a draft of the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy, designed to align efforts to improve biodiversity.

Waste Transformation Programme

The committee approved the formation of a Waste Transformation Scrutiny Task Group to provide oversight of the council's Waste Transformation Programme (WTP). The WTP, initiated in 2023, includes over 30 projects aimed at legislative compliance, service contract renewals, and improvements to household recycling centres. The programme has a revenue budget exceeding £45 million, and service contracts valued at around £55 million.

Key objectives of the programme include:

• Introducing food and flexible plastic collections
• Transitioning to three-stream recycling
• Re-procuring five major contracts

The task group will monitor risks, ensure effective communication with residents, and help safeguard service quality throughout the transformation.

During the discussion, Councillor Wayman asked about the future of household recycling centres, and Sarah Valdis, a council officer, responded that no decisions had been made, but that the council was conscious that some facilities are not fit for purpose.

Councillor Trevor Carbin asked about what would happen to the collected food waste, and Sarah Valdis responded that the council was fortunate that there were two facilities within the county that they were aware of, and that they were hopeful that they would end up with in-county food waste processing.

The committee also discussed a food waste collection trial in Chippenham, which was due to start in October 2025.

Andrew Nicholson, Chair of Wiltshire Climate Alliance, asked about the environmental impact of delaying separate kerbside food waste collection and the possibility of piloting agile waste collection using e-cargo bikes. Councillor Paul Sampo, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate, and Waste, responded that the government had granted permission for 31 councils in England to defer the implementation of weekly food waste collections beyond the 31st of March 2026 deadline, and that a business case would need to be developed by any third party who had an alternative delivery model to suggest for collection of any waste stream.

Air Quality

The committee discussed the Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and the annual status report on air quality submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The report noted that for the first time, all eight air quality management areas (AQMAs) in Wiltshire were in compliance with UK air quality requirements for nitrogen dioxide. As a result, the council is planning to revoke the AQMAs, starting with Salisbury London Road.

The SPD is designed to support the air quality action plan and the Wiltshire air quality strategy. It aims to provide clarity to the planning process for developers and encourage mitigation of emissions. The SPD includes requirements for electric vehicle charging provision and makes provision for Section 106 funding¹ to support the air quality action plan and other council initiatives.

During the discussion, Councillor Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls raised concerns about the accuracy of the community air quality network monitors. Brett Warren, a council officer, responded that the monitors are co-located with higher quality sensors and that equalisation calculations are used to take into account any inaccuracies.

Councillor Zoë Clewer highlighted the importance of communication with residents about changes to recycling and waste collection services.

Councillor Bridget Wayman referred to the map.purpleair.com website and asked about the locations of the purple air monitors. Councillor Sampo responded that the locations were determined by volunteers who had wi-fi and an electricity supply.

The committee approved recommendations to note that all AQMAs are now in compliance with UK air quality requirements, that the revocation of an AQMA is a key decision, and that the SPD will progress to cabinet in October. The committee also requested an update on the air quality action plan in 2026.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The committee received a report on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Wiltshire and Swindon, which will be going to cabinet in October. The strategy is a statutory initiative driven by national government policy under the Environment Act 2021. It aims to protect and conserve 30% of land and sea for biodiversity by 2030.

The strategy consists of a written document and an interactive map, identifying priority habitats and networks across Wiltshire. It provides a framework to help developers meet biodiversity net gain requirements and supports the council's net zero goals. The LNRS does not restrict development or force landowners into any actions, but provides guidance on integrating nature recovery into land uses.

During the discussion, Councillor Dominic Muns asked about the development of a marketplace to provide credits to developers and help alleviate bottlenecks. Lynn Trigwell, a council officer, responded that the council was in the process of looking at what they can do with their own land for biodiversity net gain, and that they were also working with external suppliers.

Councillor Erkart Nicholls asked what percentage of Wiltshire is currently protected for biodiversity. Lynn Trigwell responded that it was difficult to put an exact number on it, but that approximately 40% of Wiltshire is designated as a site of importance for habitat, and that if you take into consideration zones of influence around those protected areas, it jumps up to about 70%.

The committee approved recommendations to note the draft LNRS and to request a briefing note on biodiversity net gain at a time to be agreed.

Cabinet Member Updates

Councillor Sampo provided an update on his activities, including meetings with English Heritage, highways officers, and various stakeholders. He also highlighted achievements in waste collection and recycling, and upcoming campaigns.

Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene, and Flooding, provided an update on his activities, including visits to pothole repair sites and electric bus charging infrastructure. He also discussed traffic measures and community engagement sessions.

Forward Work Programme

The committee approved the forward work programme, with some minor adjustments.