Issue - meetings

This report seeks authority to submit an Outline Business Case to DEFRA for Private Finance Initiative funding, in line with the objectives of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy ‘Let’s talk less rubbish’ and the Joint Working Agreement with North Yorkshire County Council.

RESOLVED:(i) That the submission of the Outline Business Case (OBC) to DEFRA as a bid for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding, based on the draft Executive Summary of the OBC attached at Annex 1 of the report, be delegated to the Director of City Strategy;

(ii)               That it be confirmed that the Council recognises the necessity to allocate resources sufficient to make the project affordable over the life of the contracts, subject to any further obligations and financial parameters as directed by DEFRA or any other government department;

(iii)             That it be confirmed that the residual waste treatment project offers value for money to the City of York Council;

(iv)              That it be confirmed that Yorwaste be requested not to participate in the PFI residual waste treatment contract;

(v)                That the approach to sites and planning issues be noted and supported;

(vi)              That it be noted that the delivery standards for City of York Council collection services will need to be achieved to interface with the PFI contract;

(vii)            That officers be requested to ensure that City of York Council works with the Local Government Association, MP’s in the Council’s area and other councils to ensure that core funding recognises the additional financial burdens placed on local authorities.

Members received a report which sought authority to submit an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for Private Finance Initiative funding, in line with the objectives of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy ‘Let’s talk less rubbish’ and the Joint Working Agreement with North Yorkshire County Council.

The key features of the OBC were set out in paragraph 2 of the report and the draft Executive Summary of the OBC was attached as Annex 1 of the report.

The report discussed the key issues for consideration, which were the procurement strategy, value for money and affordability of the project, sites and planning issues, the role of Yorwaste and partnership arrangements.

Members restated their commitment that there would not be an incinerator in the City of York Council area and explained that Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT), involving recycling and digestion, was their preferred option.

Members highlighted the need to work with the Local Government Association, local MP’s and other Councils to ensure that core funding recognised the additional financial burdens placed on local authorities.

RESOLVED:(i) That the submission of the Outline Business Case (OBC) to DEFRA as a bid for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding, based on the draft Executive Summary of the OBC attached at Annex 1 of the report, be delegated to the Director of City Strategy;

(ii)               That it be confirmed that the Council recognises the necessity to allocate resources sufficient to make the project affordable over the life of the contracts, subject to any further obligations and financial parameters as directed by DEFRA or any other government department;

(iii)             That it be confirmed that the residual waste treatment project offers value for money to the City of York Council;

(iv)              That it be confirmed that Yorwaste be requested not to participate in the PFI residual waste treatment contract;

(v)                That the approach to sites and planning issues be noted and supported;

(vi)              That it be noted that the delivery standards for City of York Council collection services will need to be achieved to interface with the PFI contract;

(vii)            That officers be requested to ensure that City of York Council works with the Local Government Association, MP’s in the Council’s area and other councils to ensure that core funding recognises the additional financial burdens placed on local authorities.

REASON:                  In line with the objectives of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy ‘Let’s talk less rubbish’ and the Joint Working Agreement with North Yorkshire County Council