In order to get help from the council you will need to fulfil certain requirements:
• Your project should be open to the public. People should either be able to bring materials to you, or you should be collecting materials from them. A regular system is vital. Most groups operate once a week or once a month, some have almost daily opening.
• You must have a suitable site. This will have to be carefully thought out in consultation with the Community Composting Co-ordinator and later the Environment Agency and possibly planners . There must be enough space to stock- pile materials, process them and compost. If you are going to be shredding think of the noise and the neighbours. There must be good access and room to turn vehicles, whether the ground is dry or wet.
• You must site composting activities so that no pollution of watercourses could occur.
• When you set up a composting operation with public access you must conform to certain legal requirements. You must either pay for a licence to compost or apply for an exemption certificate, Unless you are planning to process really enormous amounts of materials, (500 tonnes at a time) it's best to apply for an exemption certificate.
• You must have a bona fide group. An individual cannot apply for funding etc. If you are not a member of a group, join one! Check out your local allotment, gardening or environmental groups. It's important to get people on your side, You will need plenty of help to get going and to keep running. Alternatively you could set up your own constitution, but this will take a lot of time and money.
• However you plan to work your group you will need dedicated volunteers or paid staff. Making compost is very rewarding, though not everyone's cup of tea and it's hard work at times.
• Groups will be expected to report back to the co-ordinator twice a year to give a brief progress report. You must keep track of the tonnage, and the recycling credits claimed, as well as any thoughts or problems etc. 'Recycling Credits' translates as money that the council give you for materials diverted from landfill - but it must be audited.
• New and prospective groups should visit an existing scheme. Preferably a community compost demonstration site. The scheme at Chagford is now a National demonstration site.
• The Golden Rule to remember is 'Small is Beautiful!' Community Composting can be an ideal Local Agenda 21 project for a small village or hamlet. This does not rule it out for larger communities but it will take more planning.
• Community Composting projects are characterised by their diversity. Many of them are a part of a larger scheme, often addressing and involving marginalised social groups in a wider range of activities.
• Still interested ? Then contact Nicky Scott - nicky.scott@devon.gov.uk
