Chair and Vice Chair of GMWDA are Re-Elected

Date published: 21 June 2010

Councillor Neil Swannick and Councillor Michael Young have both been unanimously re-appointed as Chair and Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA). The decision was made at the Annual General Meeting on the 18th June 2010.

The appointments of Councillor Swannick (a Labour Councillor for Manchester Council) and Councillor Young (a Conservative Councillor for Trafford Council) allows the continuation of a multi-award winning partnership and continues the cross political party support.

As Chair and Vice Chair, both Councillors have been instrumental in consulting with the public about the future of Greater Manchester’s waste, which proved to be the foundations for GMWDA’s groundbreaking 25-year Recycling and Waste Management Contract.

The Contract, in partnership with Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited (VLGM) is creating world-class facilities in Greater Manchester, which are managing the 1.1 million tonnes of municipal waste generated each year in the conurbation. Residents are already receiving outstanding services, delivered in the form of new-state-of-the-art Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), which are purpose built to maximise and increase recycling and reuse rates in Greater Manchester. In recent HWRC User Satisfaction Surveys, results showed that 99.6% of residents were either very satisfied or satisfied with the new service.

Councillor Neil Swannick was elected Chair of GMWDA nine years ago and has been a Member of the Authority since 1999. Councillor Swannick has significantly raised the profile of GMWDA and has given immense support for Greater Manchester’s 25-year Recycling and Waste Management Contract.

On his re-appointment Councillor Swannick commented: “I am delighted to have been re-elected and to have the opportunity to continue supporting GMWDA. I am very much looking forward to working with new and returning Members. This year will see the Authority delivering further facilities and I see my role as driving forward further initiatives with the ultimate aim of achieving zero waste.”

Michael Young has been a Councillor and a Member of GMWDA for five years and was first appointed Vice Chair of the Authority in 2007. Councillor Young also has a role as Executive Member for Adult Care, Health and Well Being in Trafford. Councillor.

Michael Young said: “I am thrilled to have been re-appointed as Vice Chair to the Authority. It will be a pleasure to continue working with Members Officers and Members on various projects, with the key goals of reducing, reusing and recycling Greater Manchester’s waste. In this coming year we will see more districts roll out full recycling services to our residents and I see Members having a central role with increasing participation rates.”

The Authority consists of 6 new and 15 returning Members. The Chair and Vice Chair are appointed for the next 12 months.