THERE have been reports on Wombles, reports on waste minimisation, and reports on the best use of resources, but the latest report from Waverley Borough Council officers is the very first of its kind.

Last week a report was published by officers that takes the council's bureaucracy to its outer limits - it was a report on reports.

Among the 416 pages of the agenda for last week's meeting of the council's decision-making executive was the seven-page report on reports.

Literally staggering under the weight of their responsibilities, councillors responded to the report on reports by calling for an end to the barrage of reports they receive each week.

But their troubles seem unlikely to be over.

It was agreed that, yes, a further report should be made by officers giving "associated guidance notes" for future reports.

Officers also suggested that new symbols could be used to take the place of words and save under-pressure councillors some time in "digesting" the hefty documents.

Seven of these new symbols were suggested to show the effects of the proposed policies on areas such as natural resource use and the local environment. In the light of the council's massive ongoing investment in waste minimisation and recycling schemes, the report is particularly timely.

With their usual attention to detail, officers even included a special section for the implications of the report on resources.

Speaking at the executive meeting last week, Waverley's portfolio holder for the environment, John Sandy, responded to the report.

Mr Sandy said: "It's about time something was done to reduce the amount of paper we receive. My only objection is that I will be called the 'champion of sustainability' in future reports to the government.

"I really think that the title is a little over-the-top."

Meanwhile, the leader of the council, David Harmer, told the meeting that Waverley had already made its "biggest leap forward" in the last 20 years.

"I think one of the council's greatest achievements was made when page numbers started to be printed on our agendas and reports. This was a very important move for councillors," Mr Harmer said.