Agenda item

To inform the Board of progress since the last meeting.

The Board considered a report informing of progress since the last meeting on 16 December 2010.  The report covered:

Operations and Facilities – Works at Smallmead on the fire protection system had been completed and the contractor was expecting written confirmation from the insurers confirming cover.

A letter thanking the staff at both Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC)  in recognition of the continued high levels of satisfaction expressed by site users was signed by the members.  It was noted that the staff at both centres had performed highly and the Board expressed their thanks.

Longshot Lane Mini-MRF – As a result of trials regarding a Mini-MRF at Longshot Lane and the use of a mechanical ‘grab’, it has been agreed between the Contractor and Officers, that a mechanical ‘grab’ be used to extract mixed recyclables.

Retail Outlet Replacement – Work with Sue Ryder Care had begun at both the HWRCs collecting various bric-a-brac for re-sale. The scheme had been considered successful by both site and Sue Ryder staff.  An update on the ongoing work regarding the scheme would be brought to the next meeting.   (Action: Oliver Burt)

Haulage Contract Re-Let – The Haulage Market Testing process was approved by the members on the 21 September 2010 and since that time five formal Invitations to Tender (ITT) had been issued.  Four bids were received by the closing date of the 25 March and the proposals would be assessed by WRG.  Officers would relay the result as soon as it was known and the re3 Project would be liaising with both the contractor and council account teams to enable budgeting for any increases in the rate of haulage.

Savings Proposals – Discussions had taken place with council officers, the PFI contractor and the Waste Recycling Group (WRG) regarding savings and income generation.  A number of proposals relate to the current year and the re3 Project Team have secured approximately £600,000 for the partner Councils supplementing the overall PFI underspend.  Savings for subsequent year were being considered and officers have engaged with the private sector partners WRG to consider proposals.  A meeting would also take place between the council’s Chief Executives and the Chief Executive of WRG to consider saving proposals.

Finance – Regarding the re3 PFI waste outturn the project was reported to have savings of approximately half of the projected underspend totalling £1.2 million for 2011/11.  This amount was significantly higher than the £400,000 underspend previously reported due to a number of significant savings.   Due to a saving by the Contractor in PFI insurance costs the Councils are entitled to a share of this which amounts to £68,500.  Also as a result of work undertaken by the re3 Project Team the Councils are entitled to a share of income received from the sales of recyclate which is estimated at £362,500.  The actual payment and allocations would be finalised once the full year figures were available.

It was requested that the amounts received for trade waste be brought to the next meeting.   Also Members requested that investigation be made into dealing with trade waste for Wokingham Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Council.

 (Action: Oliver Burt)

The development of work with The Green Machine regarding paint recycling was discussed by the Board.   The Project Officers had been investigating how to facilitate a scheme at the recycling centres and further information would be brought to the next meeting.  (Action: Oliver Burt)

Performance – The Board noted the provisional performance figures and received a presentation regarding maximising the contribution of existing kerbside recycling collections.

Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy – A review of the strategy was scheduled for 25 March 2011 and an update of progress would be forwarded to the Board.

Use of re3 Facilities by West Berkshire Residents – The Board discussed the response received from the Corporate Director of Environment at West Berkshire regarding the outstanding amounts relating to use at the re3 facilities.  The Board decided on the following actions –

1          A letter from the Chairman would be sent to the Chief Executive and the Leader of West Berkshire Council outlining the views of the Board.

2          Signs would be erected at Longshot Lane and Smallmead as soon after the 1 June 2011 as possible.

3          Officers would report back to the Board regarding gating options at both sites.

4          The Joint Waste Agreement would reflect the details of the terms for any agreement entered into with another council who would wish to use the recycling sites.

(Action: Mark Moon/Oliver Burt)

Issues regarding sub-contracts were also discussed by the Board and it was suggested that investigation work be carried out on the matter. (Action: Oliver Burt)