Town council calls for termination of waste contract

Westbury Town Council is lobbying Wiltshire Council to reconsider its waste management plans, saying the proposed approach could indirectly support the controversial Westbury waste incinerator.

At a cabinet meeting last December, Wiltshire Councillors discussed several options for managing the county’s waste. One option is the termination of the Hills Waste contract at the Northacre MBT facility. The town council argues that this contract is central to the financial viability of the incinerator.

Wiltshire Council’s own options assessment found that termination would be the preferred option. However, the council says its termination fee of £19.8 million, due in 2027/28, makes this option “unaffordable.” As a result, the next-best scoring option – varying the contract to use updated technology – is the council’s recommendation. This decision is due to be ratified by the full council on 24th February.

Westbury Town Council is calling on residents and local councillors to lobby Wiltshire Councillors to reject the cabinet’s choice. The council argues that Wiltshire’s own internal reports show terminating the contract would actually be cheaper in the long term, potentially saving taxpayers nearly £39 million over 12 years by avoiding high annual operating costs and estimated penalties for failing to meet waste targets.

At a briefing for local councillors on Thursday 5th February, Cllr Matt Dean said, “This could be the absolute dream scenario for Westbury. Close a facility that’s no longer fit for purpose [the Northacre MBT plant], stop the incinerator being built by diverting the waste to a modern, preferably in my view, incinerator… out of the area, preferably an incinerator close to a motorway.”

A statement by the council added, “Westbury Town Council believe for Wiltshire residents generally, Option 3 [terminating the Hills contract] is the preferred option, and we ask for your support. We have the opportunity to challenge and change the cabinet’s decision and show that an alternative way forward would give a better future for Wiltshire.”

The town council says the option supported by Wiltshire Council is “not the best option on the table financially or for the residents and taxpayers of Wiltshire.” It adds that this option could indirectly support the Energy from Waste incinerator planned for Westbury, which is opposed by the town and surrounding communities. By guaranteeing a level of waste to be sent to the plant, it helps the economic case for the facility.

Speaking at the meeting, Mayor Jane Russ added, “I think what this comes down to is you. We need you to get out there and talk to your local Wiltshire councillors.”