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« Pierrehumbert and unrealistic expectations | Main | More on the Holland EIR decision »
Tuesday
May072013

Wrapped in cotton wool

Defra has invited comments on its plan to cut back spending on WRAP, the quango charged with spending money on dreaming up burdensome recycling schemes.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called on stakeholders and partners to submit their views regarding future funding for the Waste & Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP) activities.

Defra has stated that in order for the government to ‘succeed in reducing the current budget deficit,’ its review of funding for WRAP is ‘necessary as a contribution to wider savings’.

It is hoped the review will ‘identify whether the WRAP delivery model continues to be the most appropriate way to deliver policy interventions in support of waste reduction and resource efficiency… and to secure best value for public money’.

Interestingly, spending already seems to have been cut back, although it's slightly unclear by how much because WRAP is only part funded by Defra, the rest coming from the devolved administrations.

A quick look at the accounts suggests there is plenty of flab still to be dealt with. Over £300k is handed out to the two executive directors (plus pension), and there are a dozen non-execs taking home another £200k between them.

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Reader Comments (11)

I seem to recall a recent BBC 'more or less' that completely demolished WRAP's findings and methodology. Seems to be an ideal saving. No waste either......

May 7, 2013 at 7:56 PM | Unregistered Commenterstarfish

It is hoped the review will ‘identify whether the WRAP delivery model continues to be the most appropriate way to deliver policy interventions in support of waste reduction and resource efficiency… and to secure best value for public money’.

I used to think that I spoke something called "English". Now I'm not so sure......

May 7, 2013 at 8:09 PM | Unregistered CommenterBuffy Minton

After they have WRAPPED up WRAP perhaps they could start on themselves. Loads of flab there!

May 7, 2013 at 8:38 PM | Unregistered CommenterStephen Richards

I'll post a comment on their website later. It'll go roughly something like this:

Dear WRAP,
dig a big hole in the ground and put all our rubbish in that like We used to do in the good old days.
Yours sincerely,
Paul.

May 7, 2013 at 8:54 PM | Unregistered CommenterPaul

I used to do recycling and know these WRAP people. They get £ 65 million as a grant but make only £400 000 themselves. Not-for-profit but for overpaying the executives.

If reduction and recycling is cost effective business will do it themselves.
Stop the grant and sack them all.

May 7, 2013 at 8:59 PM | Unregistered CommenterRoger Clague

No doubt the Directors will create a "Recycling Scheme" for their continued remunerations.

May 7, 2013 at 9:01 PM | Unregistered CommenterJoe Public

@Paul

You cannot do that. The government will have to fine itself for missing their landfill targets. And that would mean them moving your money from one of their accounts to another.

Anarchy! The End of Civilisation As We Know It!

.

May 7, 2013 at 9:07 PM | Unregistered CommenterLatimer Alder

Seems to me the easiest and most direct way if reducing waste is simply to force supermarkets to cut their packaging by 50%!

There, problem solved!

Mailman

May 7, 2013 at 10:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterMailman

@Mailman

H'mmm

People don't often put packaging on products just for the sake of it. I'll concede Easter Eggs and perfume are exceptions, but generally packaging is there to help you get the product in top quality nick.

If you reduced the packaging, you'd increase the spoilage/decrease the quality of the product when you get to use it.

May 7, 2013 at 10:36 PM | Unregistered CommenterLatimer Alder

"Interestingly, spending already seems to have been cut back, although it's slightly unclear by how much because WRAP is only part funded by Defra, the rest coming from the devolved administrations.2

I've never been called a "devolved administrations" before but then government 'investment' in the insanity of greenery always is personal slight, adds insult and makes grievous my injury.

May 8, 2013 at 10:15 AM | Unregistered CommenterAthelstan.

Bish
am I reading the accounts right -
Liz Goodwin 163+1+22 = 186 ?
186 grand in pocket for 2011/12 + 28 grand in pension contributions !!!
for attending 5 board meetings in that year, nice.

web search gives this hit on her -

CEO
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programmed)
Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Renewable & Environment industry
2007– Present (6 years)

51-200 ? a big error bar then (wonder how many on contract) but no doubt worth every penny.
I despair :-(

May 9, 2013 at 1:33 AM | Unregistered Commenterdougieh

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