To receive a high level briefing on the Waste Depot Remodelling.
Minutes:
The Head of Finance, Property & Climate Resilience provided the Group with a high level briefing on the Waste Depot Remodelling.
This included the following information:
· The Environment Agency had announced changes to regulations on 18 December 2024:
• Consolidating 24 standard rules permits into 8 new standard rules permits.
• Coming into force on 19 June 2026.
• The new permit which affected MDDC was 4. SR2022 No 4: Non-hazardous waste recycling with asbestos, hazardous batteries, cable, and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electric Equipment recycling) storage. Currently the dry recycling side was covered by several waste exemptions, and only the waste transfer station (black bags, food waste and green garden waste) required an environmental waste permit. There was an operational requirement to increase the storage capacity. Regarding new initiatives, MDDC was financially recognised for its recycling performance.
· Minimum work required would include:
• Providing covered storage for recyclate bales.
• Ensuring the fire detection system (thermal imaging etc), fire suppressant (sprinkler system etc) and water containment / management (bunding / drainage) was adequate.
• Raising wall heights for the current bays in the Transfer Station.
• Creating a sample testing area.
• Whilst undertaking this work a number of other works could be completed to improve the efficiency of the site and enable it to be fit for purpose for the medium term.
• Other works to be undertaken:
• Given the scale of the requirements, plus ensuring future proofing, the site had been expanded – a new unit on the business park had been secured, enabling:
§ The car park had to be moved into the new unit.
§ Moved the offices into the old car park and welfare block to the current weighbridge location, to make space for extension and expansion of storage capacity.
§ Move the Grounds Maintenance area into the old car park to enable the replacement and relocation of the weighbridge and fuelling station.
§ Relocate the washdown area.
§ Relocate the bin storage area, potentially releasing a small unit currently being used and saving money.
§ Altering the traffic route / control system accordingly and overnight storage of vehicles.
§ Separately to this project, a new baler was being acquired.
• A number of photographs and maps were shown to the Group illustrating the proposals.
• A table showing the timeline was also shown with an estimated operational date of June 2026.
• A list of costs were shown with the estimated total being in the region of £1,550k - £1,750k.
• Details regarding the Project Team and frequency of meetings were also relayed to the Group.
Discussion took place regarding:
• The need to future proof proposals for a 15 year period at least.
• Having spoken to other Waste Managers elsewhere in the region, officers were confident there would be need for a depot in this area of Devon following Local Government Reorganisation.
• The confidence of the public needed to be maintained.
• There was minimal cost difference in providing new office facilities as opposed to a ‘retrofit’.
The information was NOTED.