The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions were noted.

DECISION

1.    To approve the revised contracting timetable set out in Table 1 at paragraph 3.7 of the report.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to complete negotiations with Veolia to extend the Refuse Collection, and Street Cleansing Contract through until 31^st March 2020, and to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head, Legal Services) the necessary contract extension agreement.

3.    To agree that the procurement of the Interim Recycling collection Contract, which will expire on 30 September 2018 (and which Cabinet approved in July 2015), be amended to allow for an optional 18 month extension period up to 31 March 2020 and authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head Legal Services) the necessary contract documentation to give effect to this.

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to complete negotiations with Veolia to extend the waste disposal contract until 30^th September 2017, and  to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head, Legal Services), the necessary contract documentation to give effect to this.

5.    To agree that the Council continues with the procurement process for a new waste disposal contract for an initial period of 9 years and 6 months with a further extension of up to 8 years and authorise the Corporate Director of Communities Localities and Culture to award the contract following consultation with the Service Head, Legal Services.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal  (following consultation with the Service Head, Legal Services) to agree the terms of and enter into a new short-term excluded lease or  tenancy at will for Northumberland Wharf Waste Transfer Station so that it is co-terminus with the expiry of the waste disposal contract on 30^th September 2017.

7.    To agree that a number of workshops are held with Members, across all parties, to redesign a future service, ensuring the Council provides best value for our residents.

Councillor Ayas Miah, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and the answers tabled by officers. In respect of Member engagement it was noted that there were plans for workshops to engage with all groups when preparing the new long-term contract.

Members then discussed the report during which it was noted that the Borough needed to explore more innovative solutions to waste problems including new ways of storing, collecting and disposing of waste at many locations and especially with respect to new-build developments.

The Mayor noted the discussion and the particular issue around waste transfer stations. He thanked Fiona Heyland (Head of Waste Management), Roy Ormsby (Service Head, Public Realm) and their officers for their work and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the revised contracting timetable set out in Table 1 at paragraph 3.7 of the report.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to complete negotiations with Veolia to extend the Refuse Collection, and Street Cleansing Contract through until 31^st March 2020, and to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head, Legal Services) the necessary contract extension agreement.

3.    To agree that the procurement of the Interim Recycling collection Contract, which will expire on 30 September 2018 (and which Cabinet approved in July 2015), be amended to allow for an optional 18 month extension period up to 31 March 2020 and authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head Legal Services) the necessary contract documentation to give effect to this.

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to complete negotiations with Veolia to extend the waste disposal contract until 30^th September 2017, and  to agree and enter into (following consultation with Service Head, Legal Services), the necessary contract documentation to give effect to this.

5.    To agree that the Council continues with the procurement process for a new waste disposal contract for an initial period of 9 years and 6 months with a further extension of up to 8 years and authorise the Corporate Director of Communities Localities and Culture to award the contract following consultation with the Service Head, Legal Services.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal  (following consultation with the Service Head, Legal Services) to agree the terms of and enter into a new short-term excluded lease or  tenancy at will for Northumberland Wharf Waste Transfer Station so that it is co-terminus with the expiry of the waste disposal contract on 30^th September 2017.

7.    To agree that a number of workshops are held with Members, across all parties, to redesign a future service, ensuring the Council provides best value for our residents.