More millions are required to bring Dumfries and Galloway Council’s waste facilities up to scratch – three years after the local authority spent £10.5m just to bring waste services back in-house.
The council was forced to shell out that amount in 2018 to wind up its disastrous waste collection deal with private firm Renewi.
That figure was initially estimated to be £6.8m, but more public cash had to be ploughed in to improve assets and pay advisors sorting out the public finance initiative (PFI) fiasco.
However, taxpayers are being landed with more bills for the “rectification” of council waste service facilities.
The matter was on the agenda at the council's waste collection, treatment and disposal sub-committee yesterday (Thursday).
A report tabled at the meeting reads: “Following termination of the waste PFI contract, these assets reverted to the council and are now operated by the waste services team.
“At the time of the termination of the waste PFI contract in November 2018, the need for investment in the rectification of these facilities was recognised.”
Maintenance works at household waste recycling centres and transfer stations has been estimated at £240,000.
Meanwhile, essential improvements at closed landfill sites will cost around £615,000, including £450,000 for the installation of 10 gas well at the Sanquhar site.
With the council also anticipating increased costs, an extra £255,000 has been allocated – taking the estimated bill to £1.1m.
Meanwhile, an upgrade of the eco deco plant in Dumfries has also been identified as a priority, with more than £1.4m already put aside for the works in the council’s waste review reserve.
Furthermore, an extra £705,000 will likely be spent at the eco deco plant further down the line to “address future health and safety works”, including a potential upgrade to fire suppression equipment.
The council waste services report states: “Over the next few years there is a need for investment in asset maintenance and rectification works in the waste treatment and disposal facilities.
“The communities committee meeting of October 5, 2021, agreed to the investment required at the eco deco MBT as urgent works in this financial year and the planned works required at the other waste facilities.”
The council was forced to cancel its waste services 25-year deal with Renewi in September 2018.
The private firm had made a loss of £3m in the previous 12 months – and then threatened to stop taking rubbish at its sites across the region.
The council paid an expensive price for entering into the ill-fated contract.
