This week, we welcomed members from across the North East to Durham County Council, to our very own Durham Town Hall for the first in-person Change Network session, bringing together LARAC members with DEFRA, DESNZ, the Environment Agency and WRAP.
As LARAC’s North East rep, it was a real privilege to bring the regional local authorities together for what was the first in the series of sessions designed to strengthen the connection between national policy development and local delivery.
The day was about creating space and making time for open and honest conversations about the significant changes facing the sector, and to ensure local authority, on the ground knowledge and experience is feeding directly into national thinking.
A structured, collaborative approach
The session combined short scene-setting presentations with breakout discussions and feedback sessions, allowing colleagues to explore key issues in more detail and share perspectives from across different authorities.
We covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
- Simpler Recycling
- Plastic films and flexibles
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Textiles
- Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP)
- Other interventions that could help deliver further increases in recycling
This format worked well, creating the opportunity for honest discussion while also making sure that key messages were shared collectively.
What we heard from LARAC members
Across all topics, there was a strong sense that local authorities are committed to delivering these changes, but that there are still important questions to work through to ensure successful implementation.
Consistent themes emerged throughout the day:
Clarity and consistency will be critical - With multiple policy changes being introduced over a relatively short period, clear and consistent messaging for both for local authorities and residents is essential.
Delivery is complex and interconnected - Changes to one part of the system inevitably impacts others. Collection, sorting, processing and end markets all need to evolve together if reforms are to succeed.
Markets and infrastructure need to develop alongside policy - For several materials discussed, particularly textiles and plastic films, the challenge is not just collection but ensuring there are viable and sustainable end destinations.
Local insight adds real value - The session highlighted how important it is for policymakers to hear directly from those delivering services on the ground, particularly when it comes to understanding operational realities.
Sessions like this are an important step in bridging the gap between policy design and delivery. They provide an opportunity for national partners to test thinking, hear directly from local authorities, and better understand the practical implications of proposed changes. Equally, they give local authorities a voice in shaping how policies evolve.
Looking ahead!
This was the first Change Network session of its kind, and we hope to see similar events take place across other regions in the coming months.
My thanks go to everyone who attended and contributed so openly, and to colleagues from DEFRA, DESNZ, the Environment Agency and WRAP for engaging so constructively.
