Waste disposal contract blocked after fury in Birmingham

A controversial five-year contract with Veolia for Birmingham's waste disposal services has been blocked following widespread criticism. “A major talking point with the original contract surrounds the condition that Veolia is obliged to leave the incinerator in by the end. But even the inquiry failed to shed much light around the issue—at least in public— with much of the debate held in private due to 'commercial sensitivity.’ Cllr Paul Tilsley (Lib Dems, Sheldon) on the committee, said: ‘I can't believe that Birmingham City Council in 1993/94 entered into a contract with Veolia which would at the end of 25 years let them off 'scot-free.’”