2002
Lancashire CRN arose out of a need identified by delegates at Lancashire County Council’s first community recycling conference.
Lancashire County Council together with consultants from Community Recycling Services (CRS) Ltd secured monies from DEFRA to fund the Community Solutions project. The project worked with the community sector to increase their capacity and to develop a Lancashire wide community recycling network.
2003
Lancashire CRN was launched as an unincorporated organisation after a period of development lasting a year.
2003-2006
Further funding was secured from Lancashire Environment Fund and Lancashire County Council to employ a full time Community Waste Development Worker, seconded to Lancashire County Council from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and her role was to coordinate the Network.
2007
Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council signed a waste Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract with Global Renewables Lancashire to process Lancashire’s municipal waste for the next 25 years. Part of the contract comprises a community sector development programme to help community enterprises develop and implement sustainable waste management projects through the Lancashire CRN.
The contract also provides for a community sector development officer employed by Global Renewables, to assist and facilitate the work of the Lancashire CRN. This post maximises resource use and supports the community waste sector in Lancashire to become more sustainable. The relationship between Lancashire CRN, Global Renewables and the Local Authorities offers a unique opportunity for the community waste sector to identify potential projects for development, build capacity and deliver a wide range of positive social and environmental impacts with the region.
2008-2010
Lancashire CRN has gone from strength to strength and has provided a range of project support, guidance, networking opportunities, project funding and more to members. Lancashire CRN continues to support capacity building for the community sector and promote the diversion of waste from landfill, through ongoing projects and research into new opportunities.
Dawn Welham has coordinated the Network for over two years and is currently planning the Red Rose Resource Awards 2011.
If you have any queries or would like to join the Network, please get in touch.
For more information about Lancashire CRN click on the About tab or Join Now!
