22-12-2006 The unitary authority of Milton Keynes has agreed a new long-term waste management partnership with Northamptonshire county council, it was announced today.The two councils have signed a memorandum of understanding that marks the first step on the way to letting a major long-term waste management contract together.
Agreement: (seated) Northamptonshire's leader Jim Harker and Milton Keynes leader Isobel McCall with (standing, left to right) MK corporate director Brian Sandom, Defra's Ben Prynn, Northamptonshire head of waste Steven Bell and Defra's John Enright
Discussions have now started on a £500,000 project to develop a business case to form the basis of a contract procurement process. This is likely to take until October 2007, focussing on the potential benefits possible through the joint procurement of waste facilities.
The councils hope to achieve greater economies of scale, share ideas and investigate new technologies to address future waste and recycling needs through the partnership.
It is believed working together could bring about an 18% efficiency saving compared to the councils operating independently.
PFI Working together also increases the two councils' chances of obtaining support through the Private Finance Initiative if the partnership decides to go down that route.
A new project board has already been set up to include Cabinet members, senior finance, legal and technical officers from both authorities, who will meet regularly to monitor the project.
The development of a joint business case will be supported by an experienced transactor, provided by Defra through its Waste Infrastructure Development Programme.
Waste issues do not stop at the county border, so it makes good sense to look at the possible financial and practical advantages that could be accomplished by working jointly. - Cllr Jim Harker, Northamptonshire CC Project directors Ben Prynn and John Enright from the Waste Infrastructure Development Programme witnessed the memorandum of understanding being signed and they will continue to offer support as the project progresses.
Commenting on the agreement, Northamptonshire county council’s leader, Jim Harker, said: "Waste issues do not stop at the county border, so it makes good sense to look at the possible financial and practical advantages that could be accomplished by working jointly and Milton Keynes is the obvious choice for us."
"Huge impact"The leader of Milton Keynes council, Isobel McCall, said: "The population in our area is steadily rising and this will have a huge impact on the amount of waste generated. We need to act now to find a long-term solution and introduce more sustainable methods of waste management.”
The forming of the partnership has been made that much smoother because the recycling performances of each is relatively similar, with Milton Keynes achieving a 31.6% recycling and composting rate in 2005/06 and Northamptonshire a 34.6% rate, both significantly higher than the 27% national average.
Despite the strong performances, the attention of Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire councils is on the potential £150 per tonne fines they face under the government's Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme over the next two decades.
PoliciesMilton Keynes, home of one of the first materials recycling facilities in the UK, has previously considered pursuing a joint procurement process with Buckinghamshire county council. However, the council stated that "incompatibility of policies" with the pro-incineration county had "prevented full joint working".
Related links:
Milton Keynes council Northamptonshire CC
Although the unitary authority has said it is not opposed to any particular advanced thermal treatment, it considers energy-from-waste plants "high risk" in terms of planning difficulties. Previous attempts by waste firm Shanks to develop incineration capacity in Bletchley floundered amid local opposition.
Northamptonshire's cabinet has also noted that mass-burn incineration does not fit with its policies. Mechanical biological treatment has been suggested as an option, but there are concerns about finding markets for residues.
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