Agenda and minutes

The Joint Executve Committee is asked to approve the minutes from the meeting held on 11 March 2022 (attached)

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report attached

The JEC received a report advising them of the latest position regarding the Residual Waste Treatment Contract and other ancillary waste joint contracts and activities managed by the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership (STWWMP).

The JEC were advised, section 2 gives the background position on all contracts and procurements. The latest Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) contracts commenced on 1 April 2022. The contracts were awarded as follows:

·        Cumbria Waste Group Ltd – Gateshead and South Tyneside

·        J&B Recycling Ltd - Sunderland

The latest Green Waste contracts also commenced on 1 April 2022. These contracts were awarded as follows:

·        Remondis Ltd – Gateshead and Sunderland

·        Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd – South Tyneside

Section 3 provided details on the Residual Waste Treatment Contract.

The Committee noted that Paragraph 3.1 stated that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced their provisional findings in May and have stated that, for a number of specified reasons it finds that the merger of the two businesses in the UK may be expected to result in a substantial lessoning of competition. It is therefore now considering possible remedies including a divestment of the SUEZ recycling and recovery UK business. In the meantime, SUEZ will continue to operate as normal in the UK.

Paragraph 3.2 states that Ian Sexton, Commercial Advisor at STWER is retiring on 30 June 2022. He will be replaced by James Dowell who is due to start work on 1 June and Ian will be held on a retainer for one year to support James.

Household waste levels have reduced slightly compared to the peak of the pandemic but still remain higher than pre pandemic levels.

The JEC were advised that Appendix A highlights the contract performance for the year end 2021/2022. Both contractual recycling and recovery performance continue to operate above target.

Paragraphs 3.6 to 3.10 gave details of the waste transfer stations and in particular the communications campaign developed to support prevention of fires and that the stickering of all residual and dry recycling bins is now complete. Also, that ITV news have visited Campground and recorded a piece highlighting the dangers of incorrectly disposing of batteries and small electricals which aired on Thursday 31 March 2022. The campaign was also put forward to the Let’s Recycle Awards and was shortlisted as a finalist in the Health and Safety category recognising its efforts to reduce fire and near miss incidents throughout the collection and processing routes for such materials. The Awards Ceremony was held in London on 18 May 2022, attended by Fiona Swinburne and Anna Harrison, however, unfortunately it was not selected as the winning bid on this occasion.

Paragraphs 3.11 to 3.13 gave the JEC details on line 4 and 5 availability and notes 2 breaches recorded.

Under community education and engagement work carried out by our Waste and Recycling Visitor and Education Centre Co-ordinator, it should be noted physical activity and outreach work have resumed with COVID-19 guidance with just over 2,400 local resident’s,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Presentation

The JEC received a presentation on international, national and local waste sector news.

RESOLVED – That the information be noted.

The next meeting of the Joint Executive Committee will be held on Friday 9 September 2022 at 1.30pm

Friday 9 September 2022 at 1.30 pm