1) Can the council detail which companies it currently has a contract with to dispose of waste through incineration?
The South West Devon Waste Partnership (SWDWP); a joint venture between Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council has a 25 year residual waste contract with MVV Environment Devonport Ltd.
Exeter Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) – contract with Viridor Exeter Waste Services Ltd.
North Devon & Torridge Residual Waste Treatment – contract for provision of a transfer station and disposal of residual waste 2019-2029 SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd.
2) Can the council state whether either of these contracts require a minimum calorific value to be processed through them each year? If so, what are the arrangements to cover any shortfall (for example, is there a cost and what is that cost?)
There is no minimum calorific value under any of the contracts.
3) Is there a benefits sharing arrangement as part of the incineration contract? E.g. income from the energy sold from the incinerator to the grid and/or by products sold from incineration like Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA). Can you provide details of those arrangements?
Yes, the contracts for the SWDWP and Exeter ERF contain a mechanism for sharing Third Party Income associated with the Devonport Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility.
Details of these arrangements are exempt from disclosure under Regulation 12(5)(e) of the Environmental Information Regulations (Confidentiality of Commercial/Industrial Information).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, releasing this information would undermine the Local Authority’s (LA) ability to outsource and procure contracts for services, specifically specialist projects such as the EfW, where there is a limited market for suitable contractors, due to contractors not wishing to bid for and enter into contracts with a LA that has a reputation for releasing information deemed commercially sensitive, which for the avoidance of doubt, has economic value and can cause economic harm if released.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in ensuring Devon County Council are able to outsource and procure contracts for their services that ensure best value for money for the taxpayer so the maximum amount of money can be spent on services for the people of Devon.
Therefore, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.
4) Does the council have an arrangement with central government to delay the collection of food waste beyond March 2026, and if so, is this a result of the existing waste contract?
No.
5) Can the council also detail the start date of its incineration contract, the overall value and the contract term of the contract including any extensions. In this answer, can the authority explicitly state whether or not the contract is part of a PFI deal. If there are multiple contracts can the council detail each.
The SWDWP entered into the Residual Waste Contract with MVV Environment Devonport Ltd on 25th March 2011, with an operational term of 25 years from 2014 onwards and the option to extend by 5 years. The overall estimated worth of the contract is £436million. The contract is part of a PFI arrangement with the SWDWP securing £177million from Defra through a Waste Infrastructure Grant, which meant the SWDWP had to fund approx. £259million for the Residual Waste Treatment Contract.
The Exeter ERF contract was entered into on 3rd October 2011 with an operational term of 30 years from 14th July 2014 onwards. The overall estimated worth of the contract is circa £240million.
North Devon & Torridge Residual Waste Treatment – contract for provision of a transfer station and disposal of residual waste 2019-31st March 2029 SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd. Estimated value £55million. Not PFI.
6) How much of that waste sent for incineration was initially collected as recycling? Can you please return the tonnage for the 23/24 financial year, the 22/23 financial year and the 21-22 financial year.
This information can be found in the table below:
| 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
| Devon | 858t | 877t | 790t (excludes March) |
7) In the 23/24 financial year – can the council detail which incinerator plants waste was sent to, the location of the plant and the quantity in tonnes sent to each incinerator plant.
Devonport Energy from Waste, Combined Heat and Power Facility, Creek Road, Plymouth PL5 1FL. Tonnage 60,891.
Exeter ERF, Grace Road West, Exeter, EX2 8QE. Tonnage 61,468.
Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre, St Dennis, St Austell, Cornwall Pl26 8DY. Tonnage 26,829.
Severnside Energy Recovery Centre, Severn Road, Hallen, Bristol, BS10 7GA. Tonnage 5357.
FCC UK Recycling LTD. Greatmoor EFW, Greatmoor Road, Woodham, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0QE. Tonnage 296.
Urbaser Environmental Limited Javelin Park Energy Recovery Facility, Haresfield Gloucestershire GL2 7NQ. Tonnage 448.
8) Are there any caveats to allow early exit from the above contracts with no fine e.g. if there were a change in government policy or legislation?
The contracts do not include caveats that allow for an early exit without no fine.