The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action is scheduled to meet on Thursday 11 December 2025 to discuss a new leachate treatment contract and the Didcot Science Bridge construction contract. Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, is expected to make decisions on the recommendations outlined in the meeting reports.

Didcot Science Bridge Contract

The meeting will include a discussion on the award of a contract for the construction of the Didcot Science Bridge (DSB) scheme under the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) programme. The report pack states that the Cabinet Member is recommended to approve the award of the contract to the preferred bidder, and to authorise the Director of Environment and Highways to finalise the contract terms.

The Didcot Science Bridge is described in the report pack as a critical component of the wider HIF1 programme, designed to improve connectivity between Didcot and Culham, relieve congestion, and support the delivery of over 12,655 new homes and significant employment growth across the Science Vale. The bridge will cross over the A4130, Great Western Main Line and Milton Road and tie into the Didcot to Culham River Crossing scheme at Collett Roundabout. It will include segregated walking and cycling facilities.

According to the report pack, planning permission for the DSB and associated infrastructure was granted in December 2024, and the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was confirmed by the Department for Transport on 30 June 2025.

The council invited providers to bid for the opportunity via Lot 4 of the PAGABO National Framework for Civils and Infrastructure under a mini competition following sign off of the Procurement Strategy. Two bids were submitted, and the bid from the preferred bidder was considered to be the most economically advantageous tender.

The report pack notes that the approval of this construction contract is essential to maintain programme momentum and ensure expenditure of the Homes England grant within the agreed timeframe of March 2028. It also states that the scheme supports the housing delivery target of 12,655 set out in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Local Plans and is a fundamental enabler of the Didcot Garden Town Delivery Plan and Science Vale Transport Strategy. The scheme also supports employment growth along the length of the scheme with the proposed expansion of Culham Science Centre. There are also commercial sites proposed on the old Didcot power station site and to the south of the A4130 Road close to the Milton Interchange.

The report pack states that the contractor shall be required to provide social value, including creating local employment opportunities, minimising the carbon impact of the construction process and supporting local communities through various initiatives.

Leachate Treatment Contract

The meeting will also address the approval to progress a new contract for the collection, transport, and treatment of leachate[^2] from three landfill sites: Dean Pit, Dix Pit, and Oakley Wood. The report pack states that the Cabinet Member is recommended to approve procurement for up to three contracts, and to delegate the contract award and any negotiations with contractors, including Fomento de Construcciones y Conrates (FCC Environment UK Limited), in connection with the contract for Dix Pit, to the Director of Environment & Highways.

The council has legal, financial and environmental responsibilities for closed and active landfill sites within the county. The report pack notes that three of these sites actively produce leachate, which requires specialist collection and treatment. The council's environmental permit reflects legislation which sets out legal responsibilities for the handling, storage and treatment of this leachate, which will last for a number of decades.

The report pack states that the new contracts will give the council greater control and management of this service, and will ensure the council remains legally compliant in its duties in managing closed landfill and the leachate they produce. However, it also notes that the award for the Dix Pit contract may require further negotiation with FCC Environment, who also retain responsibilities for the site.

The report pack notes that the contract and service provision for the safe and legal handling and treatment of leachate from the sites contributes to corporate policies and priorities, including:

• Putting action to address the climate emergency at the heart of the council's work
• Prioritising the health and wellbeing of residents
• Preserving and improving access to nature and green spaces

The report pack includes a table of historic tonnages produced at each site, along with the number of collections required for that tonnage. It notes that tonnages at Dean Pit are expected to rise significantly following capital improvement works carried out on the site during 2024/25.

The report pack also notes that there is a risk that a further legislative change may be implemented in connection with any presence of PFAs/POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) in leachate, which may impact the contract for Dix Pit.

Previous Minutes

The report pack includes the minutes from the previous meeting which took place on 13 November 2025. According to the minutes, Councillor Judy Roberts was in the Chair, and Councillor Ian Snowdon was also in attendance. Officers present included Jack Ahier, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Haidrun Breith, Technical Lead – Landscape and Green Infrastructure, Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, Helen Gosnell-Whyman, Principal Minerals and Waste Policy Planner, Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Charlotte Simms, Team Leader – Minerals and Waste Policy.

The previous meeting included discussions and resolutions on the Local Aggregate Assessment 2024 and the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030.