INCINERATOR: "WHAT DO WE GET FOR OUR £30MILLION?"

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 20th Nov 2009

Steve Gilbert, the Prospective MP for St Austell & Newquay, has called on Cornwall Council to put more information in the public domain about what the £30million estimated cost of exiting the waste contract with Sita would buy for Cornwall.

Steve Gilbert has said, "While it is useful for the debate surrounding the future of waste management in Cornwall to now know the cost of exiting the contract with Sita, more information is needed about what the £30million would buy for Cornwall."

In a letter to the Leader of Cornwall Council, Alec Robertson, Steve has asked Cornwall Council "to place in the public domain - as soon as possible - what the £30million estimated costs covers. What facilities Cornwall Council would be required to purchase from Sita? What is the estimated value of these facilities? Are any of the facilities currently generating revenue for Sita? Could any of the facilities be used in a future waste contract that doesn't include incineration?"

The Prospective MP added, "There can be no real public debate about whether £30million represents value for money in exiting the contract unless we know what the £30million buys Cornwall and whether any of the facilities may be used in a future contract that doesn't include incineration."

Last week Sita Cornwall advised Cornwall Council that it would be unable to meet the "long-stop date" in the Integrated Waste Management contract due to the issues surrounding the construction of the incinerator. In a statement Cornwall Council said it can now use "force majeure" to exit the contract at an estimated cost of £30million.