Local Agenda 21 in Medway

Medway Waste Forum

Aims and Objectives

1. Forum Title:

The Forum title shall be “The Medway Waste Forum”.

2. Mission Statement:

To work with residents, the Medway Council and other bodies, to identify and monitor relevant waste issues and promote genuinely sustainable waste initiatives, which conserve, protect and improve the Medway environment.

3. Aims and Objectives:

• To provide a Forum for residents, Councillors, Council officers, special interest groups, representatives of industry and commerce, voluntary groups and anyone interested in waste management, to discuss, formulate and agree policies and activities that lead to sustainable management of waste including:

• To support and engage in specific research and investigation into waste management, including providing support to local authorities and parish Councils.

• To inform and pass on information to other members of the public and to private organisations on issues and activities designed to promote responsible and sustainable waste management.

• To maintain liaison arrangements with other groups working within the Local Agenda 21 concept.

• To make representations to local and central government and other organisations on issues concerning waste management.

• To generate increased awareness of, and responsible behaviour towards sustainable waste management amongst the business and residential community.

4. Membership

• There shall be no restriction on membership of the Forum, both in numbers and representation.
• The Forum shall be a non-political group and shall not participate in political activities.

5. Forum Structure

The Forum shall be structured as follows:

Forum Members:

• Active involvement in all LA21 and community activities related to waste issues
• Implementation and monitoring of Forum policies
• Active involvement in Initiatives groups

Strategy /Steering group

• Form policies and Initiatives to fulfil resolutions passed by Forum members
• Liaison with Councillors and Council officers

Forum Advisors

• Professional experts from learned bodies, available for technical advice

6. Election of Forum representatives:

The under mentioned representatives shall be elected annually at the first meeting of the calendar year. Unless specifically approved by Forum members, they should hold office for a maximum of two years and may stand for re-election after one year out of post.

Chair

• Responsible for leading full meetings and the strategy/ Steering group.
• The first point of contact for both the chair of the Medway Council Waste Committee and the Medway Council Waste Manager.
• Authorised to act on behalf of the Forum on matters requiring immediate attention.

Co-Chair

• Chair full meetings and strategy/Steering Group meetings in the absence of the Chair
• The second point of contact for both the Chair of the Medway Council waste committee and the Medway Council Waste Manager.
• Authorised to act on behalf of the Forum on matters requiring immediate attention.

Secretary

• Minutes recorded on a rota basis and in bullet format, detailing important statements and action points only.
• Shared responsibility between two or three members.

Publications Member

• Responsible for quarterly publication of Forum newsletter
• Assist in the production of posters and leaflets.

Public Relations Member

• Co-ordination of press releases and TV/Radio broadcasts

Strategy/Steering Group

• At least one member to attend every Medway Council Waste Committee meeting and prepare a report ready for presentation to all Forum members at the next full meeting.
• Authorised to act on behalf of the Forum on matters requiring immediate attention.
• Line of contact to ensure information and concerns are passed from Forum members, through the LA21 Steering Group and on to the Chair of Medway Council LA2 1 Committee.
• Form policies and Initiatives to fulfil resolutions passed by Forum members
• Help facilitate the application of Initiatives group’s plans
• Liaison with councillors and council officers
• Liaison with Business Forum.

7. Initiatives Groups:

The Forum shall establish issue based groups to satisfy individual members’ personal interests in waste issues and to facilitate wider influence in the decision making process and implement changes by combined input.

Sustainable Waste Disposal Initiatives Group

• To provide effective alternatives to the incineration of waste
• To examine and advise on sustainable waste disposal strategies

Environmental Quality Initiatives Group

• Dog’s mess
• Litter, bins etc.

Education Initiatives Group

• Help initiate schools recycling programmes
• School talks
• Influence effective waste reduction education

Composting Initiatives Group

• Community composting
• Schools/business

Water Initiatives Group

• To provide effective alternatives to present residential business water usage and wastage
• To examine and advise on strategies for the sustainable use of water

Energy Initiatives Group

• To examine and advise on strategies for the sustainable use of energy
• To provide effective alternatives to present residential/business energy usage and wastage

8. Voting:

In the event that voting is necessary, each Forum member shall have one vote. At any formal meeting a quorum of six members is necessary.

9. Meetings:

The Forum will normally meet at approximately six weekly intervals. The dates of the meetings shall be determined annually in advance. Venues and times of meetings will be notified at least two months in advance.

10. Changes to the Constitution

Any proposal to amend the Constitution must be proposed in writing to the Chair/Co-chair, who shall then give four weeks notice to the membership prior to discussion at a formal meeting. Any proposals put forward must be approved by a majority of members at that meeting, who are eligible to vote.

To download a copy of the Constitution click here.