We have written to the Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change to highlight our significant concerns about the decision to cease funding for the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme (LDTCS).
Welsh Government released its draft 2024/25 budget in late December and in it there was no clear commitment to fund future climate change action under the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme (LDTCS).
Although there is some provision for existing LDTCS projects, the draft budget does not include any allocation for new projects under the scheme.
Below we summarise some of the concerns about the withdrawing of funding for LDTCS that we raised in a letter addressed to the Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS.
COMMITMENT TO TACKLING THE CLIMATE AND NATURE EMERGENCY
Welsh Government has made big commitments to tackling the climate and nature emergency. LDTCS represents a proven, highly impactful, key tool for delivering this across many different areas of work, such as improving biodiversity, diverting waste from landfill and enhancing green spaces.
THE LOSS OF A KEY DELIVERY METHOD
LDTCS is part of the Landfill Disposals Tax (Wales) Act and is designed to compensate communities that are adversely affected by nearby landfill sites. We have ample examples of how LDCTS funded projects have made a positive impact on communities and the environment.
RINGFENCING OF FUNDING
The scheme is funded by the tax levy so we are also concerned that this will be further absorbed into the general Welsh Government budget instead of being ringfenced for tackling the climate and nature emergency. With no new projects being funded and the scheme set to close, the loss of LDTCS represents a reduction of the resources specifically set aside for climate action.
WHAT IS LDTCS?
LDTCS is a grant funding programme to help communities in Wales living within five miles of certain waste transfer stations or landfill sites to take action for their local environment.
Projects must take action within five miles of an eligible waste transfer station or landfill site, and focus on themes of:
- Biodiversity– create resilient ecological networks for the benefit of a range of habitats and species
- Waste minimisation and the diversion of waste from landfill– promote awareness and best practice to reduce the amount of waste produced
- Wider environmental enhancements– bring wider community benefit through improving quality of place
LDTCS is funded by Welsh Government and administrated by WCVA.
MORE ON THE DRAFT 2024/25 BUDGET
We have released a statement on the draft budget and its alarming consequences for the voluntary sector in Wales. Voluntary sector leaders have also expressed their ‘anger and concern’ in a joint statement from the Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC).
Have you been affected by this draft budget? If so, please contact policy@wcva.cymru.