Waste plant is the best way forward

At the recent Council meeting I voted in favour of the Amey Cespa proposal, a proposal that includes Mechanical Separation, Anaerobic Digestion and Incineration. I respect those who did not. Across our constituency I do not detect a large public view one way or the other.

As a councillor my role is to take an objective view for the good of the community. After 13 half-day meetings, chairing a small working party, I think I have a better grasp of the issues than most, certainly better than most of those who signed the petitions on very little evidence. The working party report is on the North Yorkshire County Council website along with an officers' report listed for last week's council meeting.

A few key points in brief:

I am very much in favour of more recycling, re-use and less wasteful use of resources in the first place. But there will always be some residual waste. Mechanical separation and anaerobic digestion while useful, and part of the AmeyCespa proposal, cannot deal with all residual waste.

AmeyCespa and the banks will finance the new plant. Virtually all commercial risks lie with AmeyCespa. The Councils will pay a competitive gate fee per tonne for residual waste.

The Councils will benefit from any commercial waste going through the plant - the income will be shared with the contractor. The availability of commercial waste provides a buffer for municipal waste and also, as consumers, we have some responsibility for commercial waste.

I am no apologist for the private sector, but the reality is that it provides a very large proportion of our public services. (probably more than I would wish in general, but there is no way I would want the County Council to operate a waste plant.) The task of officers and councillors is to get as good a deal as possible for the public, and I believe that is happening in this case.

The Health Protection Agency and other experts no longer have concerns over health issues.

My position is based on very careful consideration of the evidence and what I consider to be best for the people of North Yorkshire.

Of course others have every right to continue their campaign

In due course I will be very happy to defend my position at the ballot box.