Private finance initiative (PFI or PPP) for local authorities and the waste management industry.
Background
The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is an important part of the Government's strategy for delivering high quality public services. Local authorities in the UK are being encouraged to use private contractors for waste management and disposal services.
Our Approach
PFI bids involve large projects often over long timescales of up to 20 years. PFI bid teams are made up from expert teams from the relevant sector and usually involve legal, accountancy, banking and environmental teams. Senior consultant, Alasdair Meldrum, provided environmental consultancy for two major PFI bids.
Bid preparation
Alasdair Meldrum, senior consultant Albion Environmental Ltd, has worked on two major PFI bid teams for long term local authority work. Work includes:-
- Existing facility review.
- Environmental and other liabilities
- Capital works to achieve standard
- Capital works to achieve landfill diversion rates required
Delivery
Customer requirements were reviewed in detail along with the restricted timescale for putting together a compliant bid. Information and knowledge gaps were identified early in the bid process.
Detailed time line was drawn up to ensure environmental aspects of bid were fully addressed to client requirements.
Results
The Scottish Executive has awarded a grant of £1.65 million per year from the Strategic Waste Fund to the project in order to aid the implementation of the proposed Area Waste Plan, with further revenue support for the project of £1.29 million per year. The scheme includes major infrastructure improvements that will enable seven of the council’s landfill sites to meet environmental standards. It will also provide three composting plants capable of extracting metals and bulky items, which will allow 48% of municipal waste collected in the area to be either recycled or composted within three years.