Meeting halted by protest

Jan 31 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

PLANS which could lead to a new waste incinerator being built south of the Tyne were held up last night after protesters refused to leave a key council meeting.

Sunderland City Council was due to discuss a report in which a scheme to burn rubbish was being proposed by council officers.

But after a vote was taken to exclude the public while financial details which were deemed commercially sensitive were discussed, campaigners refused to leave and the meeting at Sunderland Civic Centre was adjourned.

The incinerator option is part of a joint proposal by South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland councils in which the authorities are seeking a solution to their multi-million pound waste problem.

The Government has ordered councils to find a better way of dealing with household waste and has threatened to fine councils that put too much rubbish in landfills.

Earlier council leader Bob Symonds told the meeting: “I can give a public assurance that there will be no decision taken about the final options without full consultation.

“We have nothing to hide. We are simply protecting the taxpayer.”

The scheme – which could see a £120m incinerator built with total infrastructure and waste management costs reaching more than £1bn over 30 years – would be a private finance initiative.

Independent councillor Bryn Sidaway said: “The police were called because the public would not leave the gallery.”

The issue will now be discussed at the next meeting.