Labour Leaders and Portfolio Holders from Newcastle, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton, and Darlington have condemned as “blatantly false and politically desperate” the claims by Reform County Durham that they delivered a £244 million saving on the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility.
Reform County Durham did not renegotiate, rewrite or improve this contract. The Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility is a joint project between seven councils, developed over many years through professional procurement and independent oversight. To claim that one council acting alone “fixed” or “rescued” a £300 million regional partnership is fiction and shows that Reform does not understand local government or business.
The appointment of Viridor as preferred tenderer followed a full and competitive process that concluded in July, building on work already completed by officers and partners across all councils. The Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility will safely and sustainably manage waste for more than one and a half million residents, delivering long term savings, reducing carbon emissions and investing millions back into North East communities.
Reform’s attempt to take credit for years of professional collaboration is nothing more than political spin from a party desperate for attention.
Andrew Husband’s own record in business tells its own story. His companies in the hospitality and wholesale sectors collapsed leaving debts of around £1.7 million, with several firms liquidated or struck off. That is not the record of someone qualified to lecture councils on financial management or value for money.
Alexander Hay, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said:
“Reform Durham’s claims are pure fantasy. Andrew Husband could not keep his own businesses afloat, yet now wants credit for a regional infrastructure deal worth hundreds of millions. Residents deserve honesty, not cheap headlines. The Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility is the result of partnership, professionalism and years of hard work by seven councils across the North East.”
The Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility stands as a shared regional achievement built on collaboration, integrity and competent leadership across the North East.
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council
Cllr Alexander Hay, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services
Cllr Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton Borough Council
Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Cllr Pam Hargreaves, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council
Cllr Steve Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council
Cllr Peter Gavigan, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, Middlesbrough Borough Council