Decision details

To award a contract to Tetra Tech Limited to deliver a costed options appraisal/feasibility study and indicative layout/size for a new future proofed fit for purpose combined depot site either on the existing site in Swindon Road or an alternative location suitable for a strategic waste site for the sum of £34,390.

To allocate a £16,666 CIL funding contribution from Cheltenham Borough Council into the £150,000 CIL allocation which will fund the strategic waste site feasibility project.  This contract award is the first milestone in this project which is funded from the £150,000 CIL contribution plus CIL contributions from each of the partner authorities, who are Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucestershire County Council, with a total budget of £200,000 to fund the strategic waste site feasibility project to formal decision.

The existing depot site at Swindon Road Cheltenham which has been operating since the 1950’s under old permits including exemptions is now old, expensive to maintain and will be unable to meet future service needs.  The site, owned by Cheltenham, now services two waste collection authorities, Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council for waste, recycling, street cleansing and grounds maintenance services. Gloucestershire County Council as the disposal authority has a strategic interest in future provision of household recycling centre capacity and waste disposal options within the County. 

All three authorities now require a costed options appraisal and indicative layout/size for a new future proofed fit for purpose combined depot site either on the existing site in Swindon Road or an alternative location suitable for a strategic waste site which meets future waste collection and disposal service needs.

Officers and members have considered whether the project could be progressed without this feasibility study to identify costs, land availability, permitting and planning constraints and concluded that a formal decision will require detailed costings amongst other information to take forward such significant expenditure.  There is insufficient inhouse expertise or capacity to deliver this work and therefore it needs to be outsourced.

Internal consultation has taken place with relevant officers within all three authorities.  The Cabinet Member Waste and Recycling and Parks, Gardens and Green Open Spaces has been consulted.  Officers and the cabinet member agree there is a need to commission the feasibility study in conjunction with partner authorities to facilitate the provision of a new strategic waste site.