Grant Shapps
Grant Shapps’ FOI over Hatfield incinerator contract
By Ross Logan , Reporter
Saturday, February 11, 2012
10:11 AM
HERTFORDSHIRE County Council withheld information regarding its contract with Veolia Environmental Services to build the Hatfield incinerator, Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps has claimed.
An artist's impression of the New Barnfield incineratorThe housing and local government minister has made a Freedom of Information request (FOI) to the council, asking for full details of the agreement it signed with Veolia when the company won the right to build the 380,000-tonne waste burner at New Barnfield.
Mr Shapps believes the council released a censored version of the contract to the public, with details about particular “penalties” incurred should the planning application be turned down omitted.
“There is clearly a powerful conflict of interest between Hertfordshire County Council in its role as negotiator of the contract and in its other role as chief planning authority for waste,” Mr Shapps said.
“We do not know what financial penalties the council has already agreed to if the project does not go ahead.
“Unless residents of Welwyn Hatfield are able to see the contract for themselves, we cannot be assured that the planning application is being handled fairly.
“Having consulted a leading Private Finance Initiative expert, we’re confident that the county is guilty of withholding more information than is proper in these circumstances.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The county council is committed to being transparent in the work it carries out and strives to release as much information as soon as possible.”
Latest News See all
- Hertfordshire murder victim was ‘repeatedly bludgeoned round head with hammer’
- Crackdown on noise nuisance in Welwyn Hatfield
- Slam Dunk Festival 2012 stage times announced
- 2,800 jobs to go as Clinton Cards axes 350 stores
- New executive from Welwyn Hatfield sought to join board at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
More news
- Hertfordshire murder victim was ‘repeatedly bludgeoned round head with hammer’
- Crackdown on noise nuisance in Welwyn Hatfield
- Slam Dunk Festival 2012 stage times announced
- 2,800 jobs to go as Clinton Cards axes 350 stores
- New executive from Welwyn Hatfield sought to join board at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
- Last call for Potters Bar carnival princess competition entries
- Heartless burglars steal toys from charity sheds in Hatfield
- Bus service changes in Hertfordshire
- Ultimate 80s Festival to be moved indoors at the Forum Hertfordshire in Hatfield
- Residents ready to fight worm farm plans again
- Fears cuts will chop Hertfordshire’s police helicopter cover
- Topping out ceremony for new Hatfield school
- Home-made signs lead to Welwyn success
- Mentally ill Welwyn Garden City hospital patient still missing
- Suspected arson at Welwyn Garden City flat
5 comments
@IJWilliams: What a stupid statement. Did you bother to submit an objection? 5759 people talk louder than money!
Report this comment
aquaade
Sunday, February 12, 2012
It's going to be built anyway so why even bother? Money talks.
Report this comment
IJWilliams
Sunday, February 12, 2012
This MP of ours doesn't give a toss either way about the incinerator. He is an opportunistic vote grabber who never voices an opinion without knowing what we think first. A shabby council and an equally shabby MP.
Report this comment
Iggy
Saturday, February 11, 2012
I guess that all involved at Hertfordshire County Council will still get their bonuses... they should be sacked!
Report this comment
commonsense
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Well done Grant for exposing a conservative councils shabby deal.
Report this comment
IFM
Saturday, February 11, 2012