The Place Scrutiny Board met to discuss the transition to a new waste and recycling service with Norse Group, and the potential implementation of a new pyrolysis plant for biochar production. The board recommended that the Director of Public Services present an update report six months after the commencement of the contract between Norse and Calderdale Council, and also that a public-facing document be created to dispel misconceptions about the pyrolysis plant. The board also discussed the work programme for 2025/26.

Transition to a New Waste and Recycling Service

The Place Scrutiny Board recommended that the Director of Public Services present an update report to a future meeting of the board six months after the commencement of the contract between Norse Group and Calderdale Council. The update is to include information on rural routes and how the service to residents has continued following the commencement of the new contract. The Scrutiny Officer was requested to add the item to the work programme for the 2026/2027 municipal year. The Director of Public Services is to inform all councillors that they may provide feedback to them, who will in turn, feedback to the Norse Group on current service delivery and how they may want to see improvements in the longer term after the contract has transitioned.

The Director of Public Services submitted a report regarding the transition to a new waste and recycling service undertaken by Calderdale Council. In November 2024, the Cabinet resolved to enter into a joint venture with the Norse Group for the delivery of waste and recycling services, which was due to commence on 1 August 2026. The initial contract was for eight years, with the option to extend for a further eight.

Waste services is one of the largest contracts the council enters into and is universally delivered to all in the borough. The contract covers waste and recycling collections from all Calderdale residential properties, with recycling being collected weekly and general waste fortnightly. In addition, there are several ancillary services, including paid for garden waste, bulky household waste collections, clinical waste collections, and bin/container deliveries.

Officers advised that the joint venture had been deemed the best option to keep stability with services. Although the option to bring all waste management services in house had been noted, it had been a number of years since the council had solely run its own waste services.

During discussions, board members commented on:

• the legal obligations of retaining existing staff so no employees are affected by the contract change
• the value for money the joint venture brought
• adding Norse's experience and resilience to the waste collection service
• the potential improvements to rural location collections which had proved problematic.

Implementation of a New Pyrolysis Plant

The Place Scrutiny Board recommended to the Director of Public Services that a public-facing document dispelling misconceptions of the pyrolysis plant being an incinerator be included in any future development of the project. The document should include information on the process, benefits, and what was being done to reduce any possible risk around the pyrolysis plant.

The Director of Public Services submitted a report regarding Calderdale Council's possible implementation of a new pyrolysis plant¹. The report advised pyrolysis for biochar² production aligned with the principles of a circular economy by transforming green biomass into a valuable product, removing carbon from the atmosphere, and generating renewable energy. Calderdale Council could use locally sourced biomass to deliver financial returns, through energy and biochar production, and the creation of valuable carbon removal credits.

Biochar was an invest to save scheme included within 2025-26 budget, and it was projected to save £500,000 by the year 2027-28. Specialist support was being provided on the project by an organisation called Klere who Waste Management was working with, along with Shropshire County Council, on producing a feasibility study and business case to move the project forward.

During discussions, board members commented on:

• the importance of raising awareness so the plant would not be confused with sites that burned non green waste materials
• that the plant would not create a high number of jobs but could potentially save the council money
• the draft report being ready by Autumn and a possible 2027 timescale for implementation.

Officers advised the plant would generate income potential from day one of being active and would have a life span of approximately 20 years.

Work Programme 2025/26

The Scrutiny Officer submitted a written report which gave board members an opportunity to discuss potential items to be included in the work programme for 2025/26, and suggestions were welcomed. It was agreed that the report be noted.

Board members were advised that suggestions made at the meeting should be followed up with an email to Councillor Abigail White, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, so the proposal could be properly scoped before being added to the work programme.