Agenda and draft minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=439&MId=4386&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Sub Committee undertook a tour of the facility, facilitated by Mr Colin Forshaw, Production Operations Manager, Suez Resource Recovery Limited and Mr Peter Lawrence, Waste and Recycling Manager, Aberdeen City Council.

Members of the Sub Committee were shown various processing areas within the facility and were given detailed explanations of how the different processes were carried out.

The Sub Committee then reconvened in the meeting room on site for the rest of its meeting.

The Sub Committee had before it the minute of its meeting of 29 June 2017.

With reference to the Unadopted Roads Waste and Recycling Collection Policy (article 7 of the minute refers), Councillor Cooke asked if the definition of potholes had now been addressed.  Mr Peter Lawrence, Waste and Recycling Manager advised that the policy was now linked to the Roads Safety Inspection Manual.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to note the update provided and to approve the minute.

The Sub Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which updated members on progress with the construction of the Altens East Resource Recovery Centre.

The report recommended:

that the Sub Committee note the report.

Mr Lawrence spoke to the report and with reference to paragraphs 3.3.2 and 3.3.3, he advised that some alterations to the plant by Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) would be required to improve the effectiveness of removing cardboard from other fibre based materials to meet the original design specification and that some improvement in the metal extraction in the Refuse Derived Fuel facility was needed to reduce contamination of the metal waste for re-sale.

Mr Lawrence further advised that although the plant was not operating at its optimal designed specification currently, the facility was exceeding current standards compared to any other facility operating within the UK.  He advised that there was no time limit to the official signing off by Suez and that there would be no adverse financial impact incurred by Aberdeen City Council from not meeting the full specification for recyclables.

In response to a query from the Convener about possible waste still going to landfill sites, Mr Lawrence advised that the interim Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) facility at the centre had been installed to reduce the use of landfill and it produced less emissions than landfill.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to note the report.

The Sub Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on progress with the Energy from Waste Project.

Mr Lawrence spoke to the report and advised that interest in the project remained strong with four potential bidders engaging in dialogue and that it appeared likely all four parties would submit their detailed proposals by the deadline.

Mr Lawrence advised that informal letters of comfort would be received from SEPA in relation to the Thermal Treatment Guidelines and he provided a brief outline of the proof required to obtain approval from SEPA and confirmed that the proposed plant had been designed to prevent harmful emissions within the location and further afield.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to note the report.

Members are requested to note the next meeting of the Sub Committee is scheduled for 28 November at 2.00pm.

The Sub Committee was advised that the date of its next meeting was 28 November at 2.00pm.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to note the details.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart offered her thanks for the tour of the facility and felt it had given her a greater understanding of the challenges and processes involved in reducing the city’s waste.  She proposed that all elected members be encouraged to visit the facility.  Mr Lawrence advised that he would include Councillor Stewart’s comments in the forthcoming report to the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr Lawrence advised that the official opening of the facility was scheduled for 20 October 2017 with invitations being sent out to all members and in addition, that visits for members of the general public were being scheduled for 2018.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to concur with Councillor Stewart’s remarks and to note that all elected members would be encouraged to visit the facility to encourage them to ‘spread the word’ to support recycling.

Mr Lawrence advised that this would be his last meeting of the Sub Committee as he was leaving the Council shortly.

The Convener offered his thanks to Mr Lawrence for his work for the Council over the years and wished him well in his new position.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to concur with the remarks of the Convener.

- COUNCILLOR PHILIP BELL, Convener.