Issue - meetings

Extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Recyclables

 

 

Meeting: 08/09/2025 - Cabinet (Item 43)

43 Extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Recyclables pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Executive Summary

Proposal for extending the contract for the processing of co-mingled recyclables collected within North Norfolk and the wider county of Norfolk.

The following proposal outlines the options which have been reviewed and the recommended option to minimise impacts to the current service provided to residents and businesses within North Norfolk.

 

 

Options considered

 

Option 1: Not extending the contract. This was a high-risk position with the council having to go to the market at a time of high uncertainty. The council would have to absorb greater risk through the price of the service. The council would have to meet the costs of the procurement and deal with the impacts of an extensive process which can last over a number of years.

 

Option 2: Extending the contract to 2030. This provides for a continuing service with the opportunity to consider investment on a business case model, including plastic film and automation through artificial intelligence supported material sorting and picking.

 

Option 3: Extending the contract to 2032. This provides greater time for investment but is beyond the key dates for the other sectors of the business in its SLA’s with Norfolk County Council for waste related services and beyond Local Government Reorganisation.

 

Consultation(s)

Consultation has taken place with the 6 WCAs who are part of the Shareholder Agreement with NEWS Ltd and the Norfolk Waste Partnership Board.

Recommendations

 
  1. The extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Dry Recyclables contract (the Contract) with NEWS Ltd through to 31st March 2030 on its current terms is agreed.
  2. Extending the scope of the services provided by NEWS Ltd to under the Contract from the year 2026/7 to comply with the change in law introducing Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements is agreed conditional on such changes being approved in accordance with the Shareholder Agreement with NEWS Ltd.

Reasons for recommendations

 

Reasons for recommendation:

-       To ensure a continuation of the current JV through the period of local government reorganisation to provide consistent recycling services to residents of Norfolk and North Norfolk

-       High risk for the council to undertake a procurement exercise at a time of high uncertainty due to material mix in the recycling system associated with Deposit Return Scheme and associated price uncertainty

Background papers

 

N/A

 

 

Wards affected

All wards within North Norfolk

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Callum Ringer

Contact Officer

Jemma Alston, Contracts and Waste Services Manager

Jemma.alston@north-norfolk.gov.uk

01263 516341

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED:

 

  1. To agree the extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Dry Recyclables contract (the Contract) with NEWS Ltd through to 31st March 2030 on its current terms is agreed.

2.    To extend the scope of the services provided by NEWS Ltd to under the Contract from the year 2026/7 to comply with the change in law introducing Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements is agreed conditional on such changes being approved in accordance with the Shareholder Agreement with NEWS Ltd.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

-       To ensure a continuation of the current JV through the period of local government reorganisation to provide consistent recycling services to residents of Norfolk and North Norfolk

-       High risk for the council to undertake a procurement exercise at a time of high uncertainty due to material mix in the recycling system associated with Deposit Return Scheme and associated price uncertainty

Minutes:

The Chair introduced this item in the absence of Cllr C Ringer, Portfolio Holder for Environmental & Waste Services. He read out a statement from Cllr Ringer setting out the reasons behind the proposals to extend the current contract for the processing of co-mingled recyclables. He explained that this option provided the ability to use Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) for services without further procurement. Market positions were currently uncertain due to recent changes in law on Simpler Recycling, Deposit Return Schemes and Extended Producer Responsibility. If an external procurement was undertaken, it was considered that material risks and price risk would lead to a less favourable position for the Council.

 

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr W Fredericks and

 

RESOLVED:

 

  1. To agree the extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Dry Recyclables contract (the Contract) with NEWS Ltd through to 31st March 2030 on its current terms is agreed.

2.     To extend the scope of the services provided by NEWS Ltd to under the Contract from the year 2026/7 to comply with the change in law introducing Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements is agreed conditional on such changes being approved in accordance with the Shareholder Agreement with NEWS Ltd.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

-        To ensure a continuation of the current JV through the period of local government reorganisation to provide consistent recycling services to residents of Norfolk and North Norfolk

-        High risk for the council to undertake a procurement exercise at a time of high uncertainty due to material mix in the recycling system associated with Deposit Return Scheme and associated price uncertainty