Funded through Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs), the projects are the first new approvals since government changed its waste PFI criteria to emphasise the importance of recycling in long-term waste solutions.
Margaret Beckett said: “Today's announcement is a clear statement of our intention to help deliver more sustainable waste solutions. It's also a clear message to the waste management industry that their future lies in recycling.”
After final technical checks and endorsement have been carried out by the Project Review Group, local authorities will invite private sector firms to bid for delivering the new recycling and other waste services.
Berkshire
Three authorities in Berkshire will receive around 37million from the scheme. Bracknell Forest borough council, Wokingham district council, and Reading borough Council will use the funds to develop a 25 year sustainable waste management strategy to minimise waste, increase recycling and composting and reduce their reliance on landfill.
June Orton, lead councillor for environment and consumer affairs at Reading Borough Council, said: “I think it is excellent that these three authorities can now work together to deliver the government' s targets. Now we need to choose the right partner to work with.”
Tenders will be invited from private sector partners once the bid has its final approval, and the successful contractor is likely to be appointed next year, with the new services up and running by April 2004.
Terry Mills, executive member for environment at Bracknell Forest, said: “Working together, I am convinced we will be able to take advantage of modern recycling and waste disposal methods. This project in central Berkshire should be a blueprint for local authorities throughout the country.”
The three chosen councils hope the scheme will help them to reach their recycling and composting targets of 40% by 2010, and a rate in excess of 50% is thought to be achievable.
West Sussex
A partnership of West Sussex boroughs and district councils in will receive around 25 million from the PFI scheme. This will be used to upgrade 11 civic amenity sites, three transfer stations and two material recovery facilities as well as providing new composting facilities. West Sussex County Council believes it will enable them to achieve levels of recycling of at least 45%.
West Sussex cabinet member Michael Dennis said: “This has been a lengthy and involved process. I am delighted at the outcome, which will enable us to move ahead on improving Civic Amenity Sites and meeting the new challenging recycling targets.”
The tendering process should begin in the next few weeks, with the aim of a contract commencing in autumn 2003.
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