Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development as part of the Inquiry into waste and recycling.

At the beginning of the municipal year Members identified ‘waste’ and ‘recycling’ as key issues for the Board to consider: In this regard, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report outlining the Executive Board decision in relation to the Outline Business Case for the Residual Waste Treatment Project.

The following documents were appended to the report for consideration:

(a)  Waste Solution for Leeds – Submission of the Outline Business Case for the Residual Waste Treatment Project – Executive Board – 14^th November 2007 – Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods (Annex 1 refers)

(b)  J E Jacobs – Leeds City Council – Site Selection Study for Major Waste Facilities – Final Report – September 2007 (Annex 2 refers)

The following officers were in attendance:-

• Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods;
• Pippa Milne, Recycle and Waste Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods Department;

When introducing the item, the Director outlined that the Outline Business Case (OBC) had been submitted to DEFRA for consideration and the Council was now waiting to receive feedback.  It was hoped that feedback would be received early in the New Year.  It was intended to issue notice to the market in July 2008.  The Director went on to outline that development of the evaluation criteria was currently taking place in readiness for the next stage of the procurement process.

Detailed discussion ensued on the content of the report and appendices, with the following key issues being raised:

·  Further request to provide Members with a list of the 100 possible sites as identified in the report.

·  Request to provide Members with further details of the final 42 proposed sites taken forward for assessment.

·  Clarification sought regarding the vicinity of residential areas in relation to the proposed sites. 

·  Request for a map of the Leeds metropolitan district detailing the geographical location of the 42 proposed sites.

  In response, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods undertook to provide Members with the information requested above.  The Director also outlined that while the site selection study, (which had been informed by the Council’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP)) provided a framework for potential sites, this did not preclude any potential bidder from suggesting an alternative site.

·  Queries regarding the need for environmental impact analyses for any proposed technology on relevant proposed sites. 

  In response, the Director informed the meeting it was anticipated that full environmental impact assessments would form part of any submitted proposal.

·  Clarification sought with regard to the funding and affordability of the project. 

  In response, the Director outlined that the impact of dealing with waste was likely to have significant financial consequences for the Council, irrespective of the agreed way forward.

·  Assurance that the Council was on track to meet it’s recycling targets.

  In response, the Director outlined that the Brown Bin Scheme was having a positive impact on recycling and that the proposed roll out of the scheme would see a 3% to 4% improvement in this area.  It was further outlined that a detailed proposal for securing further improvements in recycling would be set out in the budgetproposals currently being formulated.  Members noted that the Board would consider the budget proposals in January 2008.

·  Members felt that improvement in recycling would be brought about by changing peoples’ behaviour, and as such there needed to be a greater concentration on education and raising awareness. 

  In response, the Director agreed this was an important aspect and,  through better use of gathered intelligence, hoped to adopt a more targeted approach in this regard.

·  Clarification on the role of social enterprises in helping the Authority deliver aspects of the Integrated Waste Strategy and achieve it’s recycling targets. 

  In response, the Director outlined that discussions had taken place with the Regional Network Co-ordinator and that the department had produced a booklet to help promote the development of social enterprises.  It was also highlighted that further developments around the inclusion of ‘social clauses’ within the procurement process would allow social and community benefits to be taken into account as part of future contract award processes.

The Chair thanked Neil Evans and Pippa Milne for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be requested to   provide Members with the following information:

(i)    A list of the 100 possible sites as identified in the report.

(ii)    Details of the final 42 proposed sites taken forward for   assessment.

(iii)   Clarification of the vicinity of residential areas in relation to the   proposed sites, by way of a map of the metropolitan area that   detailed the geographical location of the 42 proposed sites.

(c )  That as part of any further discussions regarding potential site locations, Planning representatives be invited to attend in order to respond to Members questions. 

(d)  That Members be kept appraised of the development of tender evaluation criteria that will be used to assess the suitability of any future Residual Waste Treatment submission.

Note: 

(a)  Councillor D Coupar declared a personal interest in the above item in   her capacity as a Member of the Aire Valley Board. 

(b)  Councillor Hollingsworth arrived at the meeting at approximately 10.45   a.m. during consideration of the above item.

(c)  Councillor D Coupar left the meeting at approximately 11:15 a.m.