Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

Perhaps I may respond to that. My own view and, I believe, that of the Local Government Association, which is shared by my noble friend Lord Hanningfield, is that joint waste authorities would be extremely helpful. The first part of Clause 206 is entirely clear. I understood, and supported the fact, that this was not just about authorities coming together voluntarily to consider what they were trying to do but that it was about setting up a legal entity that had the right to go out to tender and fix contracts. This is about practical application, efficiency and value for money. In Essex or Kent, for example, there are 12 collection authorities and one disposal authority. If they come together in one authority, they have the right to take those practical steps, and that is where efficiency, value for money and better service will come in. Therefore, this is not just a question of voluntarism; it is about setting up statutory waste authorities. Some of the popular newspapers talked about ““waste quangos””, but I do not think that that is the case at all. These bodies will have members of the councils on them and will be extremely helpful. I support the clause.