Following the publication of the Challenge outcome, the government announced that it would be considering new proposals to improve the flow of funding to ensure LCF monies reach the communities and projects the Fund is designed to support as efficiently as possible.
On 8 September the government announced the outcome of the Unspent Funds Challenge which showed that Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) monies are not reaching communities as quickly as they should. The Challenge was for Environmental Bodies (EBs) to reduce the amount of unspent funds by 25% by 31 March 2014, against a baseline of funds held on 31 March 2010. Overall EBs reduced their unspent funds by 17%.
As the first step in considering different proposals, the government formed a LCF Working group, comprising HM Treasury, HMRC, representatives from landfill site operators, environmental bodies and ENTRUST.
The Working Group met on 10 November, 2 December 2014, and 9 January 2015.
We will publish the outcome from the Working Group on our website once the government announces the next steps, which we expect to include a public consultation.