Shropshire waste managers 'need to forge closer links'

A Government report has suggested that Shropshire Council should forge closer links with waste contractor, Veolia.

A review team from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has praised the performance of Veolia in carrying out its duties under the controversial 27-year deal signed with the council in 2007.

The report suggested that as its work for Shropshire Council continues, the local authority ‘should consider formalising with the contractor at a senior level’.

James Papps, the author of the report, said Veolia and the council were working well together, despite the recent controversy caused by the decision to scrap cardboard waste collections and £60 million plans to build a waste incinerator at Battlefield Enterprise Park.

The scheme, which was rejected by councillors, was given the go-ahead earlier this year after a lengthy planning appeal. The deal hit the headlines again in March when it emerged that Shropshire Council had paid 90 per cent of Veolia’s appeal costs for the inquiry – £759,505 – under the terms of the 27-year contract.

Mr Papps said: “Inevitably with a contract of this kind, there has been a degree of political controversy. Against this background, there has been at least one recent meeting between the most senior authority officials and the senior management team of the contractor’s parent company.

“This appears to have been a productive session in terms of airing strategic issues clear mutual support for the contract and the partnership at the most senior level.”

He added that Veolia has generally been serving residents well.

The Defra report is to be discussed by councillors at a committee meeting on Monday.