1. LARAC Update 8 th September, 2011 Victoria Burrell NE Representative

2. What is LARAC? Formed in 1985 to represent the emerging voice of local government recycling officers Full membership open to any local authority in the UK Represents local authority views in waste and recycling issues Run by an Executive of 20 waste management officers employed by local authorities

3. LARAC Mission To provide quality representation for local authority officers on recycling and waste management issues

4. Update from Executive Meeting 14th July 2011 : Joy Blizzard – Chair to Larac / Gemma Cole – Vice Chair Andrew Craig – National Policy Advisor Continuous review of the constitutional body Any member of Larac welcome to attend Executive Meetings (Birmingham) Action Plan available on Larac’s website Subscriptions – 10/12 NE Authorities are Larac members. July/August Update

5. Larac responded to DEFRA’s publication of the Government’s Waste Policy Review – Larac meeting with Defra in 2 weeks! Updates are now available on website on all waste policies linking to this review e.g. waste hierarchy - waste prevention, recycling etc Advisory Committee on Packaging & Packaging Recycling Action Group (PRAG) are developing partnerships between packaging companies and local authorities Latest edition of Loop discusses policy issues such as collection methods and quality, National Waste Strategy and Defra’s Reward and Recognition Fund (successful applications will be notified now!). July/ August Update

6. Conference Annual Conference 2011 19 th - 20 th October, Chesford Grange, Warwickshire Attendance2010 Standard Fee* 2011 Standard Fee* 2011 Early Bird Discount Fee*+ 2 days, 1 night£480£149£99 2 days£400£139£89 1 day, 1 night£380£139£85 1 day£325£124£74 *all prices are excluding VAT +The Early Bird Discount is available until 31st July 2011

7. 2011 will be the 8 th year of the Larac Scholarship Programme (Sponsored again by Electrolink & Waste pack- 24 places!!) 2 places available for each region. 3 successful applications from the NE! (Durham x 2 (1 place, 1 runner up from East Mids), Gateshead x1) Sponsors receive: -A free place at the LARAC main conference and they will also attend the Pre-Conference members day. -Travelling and accommodation expenses are paid for by Wastepack and they will stay in the same hotel as the LARAC Executive members. -For the following year scholars will receive their own copy of the Loop magazine and LARAC Online. -For the second consecutive year, one of the scholars (to be selected at Conference) will receive a bursary to attend the Recycling and Sustainability Course at Middlesex University. Scholarship Programme

8. Sponsored by EDITORIAL – Written by our Communications Officer CHAIR’S REPORT – Joy Blizzard POLICY – written by a member of the policy team –Recent Policy Responses – feedback on responses made on members behalf –Policy Question – set on a current issue by a member of the policy team NEWS INFORMATION EXCHANGE – link to the latest issues being discussed LIAISONS – Latest reports from the Exec on meetings attended on members behalf EVENTS VACANCIES Larac Online circulated on the first Wednesday of every month Quarterly Loop magazine – Autumn edition 2010 – Excellent!

9. Membership Benefits Membership fee is £380 per year Discounts to courses and conferences Monthly Email newsletter LARAC OnLine and Quarterly Loop magazine Free vacancy advertising on the LARAC website Network of information, support and good practice Policy Responses to government consultations

10. LARAC Website www.larac.org.uk or Victoria Burrell Waste Strategy Team Manager Durham County Council Tel: 0191 3835691 email: victoria.burrell@durham.gov.uk