Terms of reference

OWP was set up to develop a coordinated and consistent approach to municipal waste management in Oxfordshire, within which the partner councils can fulfil their roles as waste disposal and waste collection authorities.

OWP must to ensure Oxfordshire meets government targets to reduce the amount of waste landfilled and increase recycling. This is done through an Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy.

OWP is also the responsible body for the environment block targets within Oxfordshire's Local Area Agreement (LAA) with Government. Those targets are:

• to increase recycling and composting countywide to 38% in 2008/9 and to recycle 4,875 extra tonnes of non-biodegradable waste accumulatively from 2006/7 to 2008/9 inclusive.
• by March 2009 to reduce the proportion of relevant land and highways assessed as having combined deposits of litter and detritus falling below acceptable standards to 11% or less.
• to increase the percentage of people satisfied with cleanliness standards in their area from the 2003/04 average across the county of 62.6 per cent to 69.58 per cent by March 2009.
• 60 businesses achieve 60% recycling rate by employers and businesses taking part in a programme of awareness-raising and support directed at those organisations and businesses we have identified as willing to be engaged in resource efficiency.