Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Thomas introduced the report which provided details on the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project.

                        The procurement process had drawn to a close and a contract had been signed with Wheelabrator Technologies (WTI) for the construction and operation of the Parc Adfer waste treatment facility on Deeside with the facility being fully operational by 2020.  Wheelabrator Technologies Inc (WTI) had engaged with the local community and would continue to do so throughout the construction process and beyond.

                        The Chief Executive added that the five partner authorities had overseen the procurement process and had engaged Cabinets and Scrutiny Committees at key stages of the process.  The project had been supported by Welsh Government (WG) throughout and £140m over the 25 year contract term had been committed financially by WG.  Once operational a Community Benefit Fund would commence to the value of £230k per annum with £180k coming from the partner authorities and £50 from Wheelabrator.  The fund would be available to community projects in the Deeside area.

                        Councillor Attridge expressed his thanks to the former Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection and Leisure, Kevin Jones, who had worked hard on the project including maximising any funding from WG.

                        Councillor Butler said this was a good example of leadership by Flintshire County Council in collaborative projects for vital services.

                        Councillor Bithell asked how the emissions of fine particulate matter would be monitored.  The Chief Executive responded that this would be carried out on a frequent basis and more than was required in line with the industry standard; details of those monitoring results would be publically available.  In response to a further question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Executive explained that the Community Benefit Fund would be restricted to the Deeside Partnership area.

                        Councillor Shotton commented on the inheritance of the project in 2012 from the previous administration.  Despite not supporting the technology he was pleased with the outcome on the Community Benefit Fund in that other Council’s would contribute to that Fund which would provide benefits for the Deeside area.

                        Councillor Jones thanked officers for the details on the level of monitoring that would take place which would be welcomed by residents.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the award of contract be noted; and

(b)       That the scheduled operational date for Parc Adfer be noted.