Agenda item

To approve the procurement of a replacement provider for the bulking and transfer of Fenland’s domestic and commercial mixed dry recycling.

Appendix 1 to this report comprises exempt information - to exclude the public (including the press) from a meeting of a committee it is necessary for the following proposition to be moved and adopted: “that the public be excluded from the meeting for Items which would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as indicated.”

Members considered the Transfer Station Tender report presented by Councillor Murphy. 

Councillor Murphy thanked Mark Mathews and his team for the report and their work to get to this stage.

Councillor Hoy said she had seen comments online that led her to think some residents had misunderstood and they thought the Council was referring to the household waste and recycling centre in Wisbech potentially being moved to March. She asked for clarification that her understanding is correct, that the transfer station is a separate issue and the household waste centre in Wisbech will remain. 

Councillor Boden said that Councillor Hoy was referring to the household waste recycling centres run by County Council and asked Councillor Murphy to respond.  Councillor Murphy agreed that the waste transfer station is a separate facility and that is the subject of discussion.

Councillor Tierney said that when the incinerator and waste recycling is mentioned, people think this Council will be using the incinerator, but this is not the case. A council resolution was made never to use it, but he would like Councillor Murphy to confirm that will not happen. Councillor Murphy replied that there are other incinerators around Cambridgeshire and that is where the waste will go.

Councillor Mrs French said as there seems to be some confusion she would like to clarify that the recycling centres are run by County Council. March should have had a new centre built this year due to the lease on the Hundred Road site expiring. The current site should then be reverted back into its original form by the end of 2027. However, that is different to this discussion on the transfer station. The household waste and recycling centres in March and Wisbech remain open unless County Council decide otherwise.

Councillor Hoy expressed her concern that Councillor Murphy had suggested waste would be taken to other incinerators. She does not support any incineration of waste, which goes completely against the waste hierarchy. The Council should be recycling all recyclable materials and so having been prepared to second the report, she would like to withdraw her support. Furthermore, she would like to propose an amendment that specifically says this Council will not be sending Fenland’s recyclable waste to incineration anywhere.  Councillor Boden responded that there will be an opportunity to look at the detail when officers come back with a further report, in the meantime officers will have heard her comments, and he is sure that will be reflected in the options available.

Councillor Tierney made the point that it would be hypocritical for members to refuse to send anything to the Wisbech incinerator but instead send it to an incinerator that is plaguing another area. Therefore, he would like officers to take a very strong steer that if this comes back to Cabinet with recommendations for incineration, he will not support it. Councillor Hoy agreed that it should be underlined today that the Council will not use incinerators at all or, as a compromise, MVV as a minimum. Councillor Boden responded it is a bit late to make an amendment and by doing so will hinder officers at this early stage. Consideration should therefore be given to the recommendations before Cabinet today and to add in for the Portfolio Holder to be part of the consultation process to move this forward. He would like to make a commitment incineration does not proceed as an option unless it comes back before this Cabinet. Councillor Murphy said what is important is whatever is best for the residents of Fenland. Councillor Boden confirmed in that case incineration will not proceed as an option unless brought back to Cabinet for further discussion. Councillor Hoy repeated that this is not acceptable to her, she does not support the incinerator option at all.

Proposed by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to:

·         Commit the procurement and appointment of one or more contractors to deliver services for bulking and transfer of Fenland’s collected municipal mixed dry recycling materials.

·         Delegate to the Corporate Director and Section 151 Officer for the authorisation of the final Invitation to Tender (ITT), and to award the contract, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, after considering possible sharing of facilities and/or contractors with neighbouring Councils which are likely to form part of the same Unitary Authority in Fenland after Local Government Reorganisation.

·         Allow authority for the Corporate Director and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, in tandem with the tender process to explore the provision of this contract through agreement with the County Council at their March Transfer Station, operated by Thalia, where this is financially advantageous and contractually practicable.

·         To note that should a suitable contractor and/or facilities not be forthcoming, then it may be necessary for the Council to pursue the construction of a suitable solution for our own operation, or to discuss possible sharing of facilities with neighbouring Councils which are likely to form part of the same Unitary Authority in Fenland after Local Government Reorganisation.

(Councillor Tierney and Councillor Hoy voted against the recommendations).