Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, which is published today, will replace the UK Landfill Communities Fund in Wales and support environmental and community projects in areas affected by the disposal of waste to landfill.
It will come into effect from 1 April 2018, when landfill disposals tax is introduced in Wales.
This is a Welsh Government scheme, which will be distributed under contract by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) between April 2018 and March 2022. It will fund projects, which support biodiversity, waste minimisation and the diversion of waste from landfill and other environmental enhancements.
Its overall aim is to support those communities which are affected by the disposal of waste to landfill.
£1.5m will be allocated to the scheme, to be awarded as grants to successful projects. Grants of £5,000 to £50,000 will be available in two annual bidding rounds, with one significant project per year being offered funding of up to £250,000.
Communities and projects which are within five miles of a landfill site or a waste transfer station which sends a minimum of 2,000 tonnes of waste to landfill each year, will be eligible to apply to the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme.
Projects will continue to benefit from any Landfill Communities Fund support awarded before 31 March 2018. There will be a two-year transitional period to enable Landfill Communities Fund projects in Wales to be completed and for all remaining funding in Wales to be spent. This period will run from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2020.
Hannah Blythyn, Minister for Environment, will have Ministerial responsibility for the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme once it is operational.
Further information about the scheme is available on the WCVA website (external link).
This scheme is being laid before the National Assembly during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.