Background:
A new HWRC facility to serve Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (T&M BC) and West Maidstone residents is required as the existing HWRC network in this area is at capacity. The nearest facility is the Maidstone HWRC at Tovil which has reached its practical capacity; resulting in severe congestion on the local highway network around the site, causing delays to both visitors to the HWRC as well as local residents. Measures to improve the efficiency of the site, including the increase of the Permitted tonnage (Environmental Permit) capacity have been investigated, and where possible implemented over the past few years. However, demand has continued to grow, such that there are now no practicable solutions to make further efficiency improvements at this site. Future housing growth / population increase indicates a significant increase in capacity is now required in this area.
The capacity issues are further exacerbated by the large catchment of the Tovil site and are compounded by the fact that T&M BC does not have a HWRC facility. Additional pressure will also be placed upon the Tovil site when the current agreement for Kent residents to use the Medway Council facility at Cuxton terminates in November 2020.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Maidstone Central; Maidstone North East; Maidstone Rural East; Maidstone Rural North; Maidstone Rural South; Maidstone Rural West; Maidstone South; Maidstone South East; Malling Central; Malling North; Malling North East; Malling Rural East; Malling West; Tonbridge;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 03/09/2019
Decision due: Not before 2nd Oct 2019 by Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Lead director: Simon Jones
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: David Beaver, Head of Waste Management and Business Services 03000 411620 Email: david.beaver@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 10 October 2019.
Financial implications: The proposed delivery model is for a new “turn key” facility for which KCC will pay a management fee. This delivery model has been previously used and successfully implemented by Waste Management, with a proposed 20-year term being considered as providing the optimum Contract period in terms of cost to the Authority. This delivery model will require additional revenue funding, as such, an increase in revenue provision (£100K in 2019/20 and £250K in 2020/21) has been made in the MTFP for this project. This is in addition to the current budget of £480k p.a. for the existing Medway charges which will become available when the project is delivered. Project is entirely KCC funded.
Legal implications: This contract enables the Authority to discharge its statutory duty as Waste Disposal Authority.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications: An initial EqIA has been undertaken which found the Adverse Equality Impact Rating to be Low. This will be updated when the project reaches design and build stage. Data Protection implications: Initial screening of the data protection impact assessment has determined there to be no exchange of personal data. Therefore, full DPIA not required.