Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a * report of Director of Finance, Assets and Resources requesting agreement of a shared services partnership agreement and a future position on waste transfer stations.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the background of the report stating that in 2014/15 when the Council began to plan for a number of strategic changes to its waste collection arrangements officers had held initial informal conversations/meetings with colleagues from Devon County Council’s Environment Department to discuss potential reductions  tonnages to landfill and increased service collection costs associated with our proposed new scheme.

All Devon Collection Authorities and the Disposal Authority officers had now agreed a shared savings Partnership Agreement. The Partnership Agreement which each Collection Authority would enter into individually would see both parties financially benefitting from any changes to baseline service provision as at 2014/15 which delivered reductions in waste treatment and disposal. The terms of the agreement were highlighted within the report.  The acquisition of the new Carlu Close depot had now given the Council the opportunity to consider additional shared working possibilities, that of a transfer station for residual and organic waste.

The financial and operational benefits of having transfer arrangements on our own site, managed and controlled directly by our officers, would greatly reduce the uncertainty of future waste direction possibilities and offer an ongoing contribution towards rental and management overheads.

The work of the Waste and Transport Manager with regard to the project was recognised.

Consideration was given to:

·         The ongoing reduction of waste to landfill

·         The welcomed efficiencies and  savings that the partnership agreement would bring

RESOLVED that:

a)    Entering into a shared savings partnership agreement on the terms shown within the report be agreed;

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance, Assets & Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to agree precise terms of the transfer station(s) arrangements with DCC in order to minimise associated onward transfer of waste to disposal sites either inside or outside of the District.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.