The Argyll and Bute contract is the first of its kind in Scotland as the council will work in partnership with Shanks to increase recycling, reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites and improve existing facilities. Argyll and Bute should become one of the leading Scottish councils in providing waste management facilities as the agreement will see the council receiving government funding under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
The contract is also the first 25-year contract in Scotland and will involve capital expenditure of around 25 million. A significant amount of money will be spent on improving standards of waste management and ensuring that waste disposal complies with current legislation. The contract has also been designed to make sure that new waste management legislation and standards of operation can be met.
Under the contract, Shanks will operate landfill sites, transfer stations and civic amenity sites on mainland Argyll and Bute, except Helensburgh. The company will also carry out major infrastructure improvements which will allow environmental standards to be met at seven of the council's landfill sites.
Shanks will work with the council to increase the recycling of household waste from a 1998/99 level of 16.8% to 25% by the end of 2006. Shanks will also set up composting plants and will continue the bulk waste collection services and scrap car removal scheme.
Michael Averill, Shanks Group chief executive, said: “We are delighted with this agreement, which is the first PFI waste management for the group.”
John Shaughnessy, spokesman for Shanks, said that the Dumfries & Galloway contract was “progressing” with the company being in the process of finalising the details of the contract with the council.
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