Cornwall faces a mounting rubbish problem

Two independent county councillors want CES to be encouraged to join Spanish and French bids for the �600m deal which could include incineration.

County Council officials say it could create a five-year delay and cost more than �100m.

The Council Executive on Wednesday rejected a motion to allow CES to bid.

They fear they could lose the money from the private finance initiative which allows the council to raise money at beneficial rates.

It's a well run Cornish company - they should be allowed to tender Councillor Neil Plummer

Council leader David Whalley said the authority was advised that CES could not join the bidding process because it was owned by the authority.

It would therefore not be eligible for so-called private finance credits because tax payers money could be put at risk, he argued.

He said: "To involve CES now would be to stop that procurement process and start again.

"Things change quite dramatically and what we're asking for now is an integrated approach to waste management.

"Just like so many things in life one's got to look for alternatives and in this case CES were not fit for the purpose.

"They've done a good job and what we're looking for now is organisations who've got a track record of managing waste over a wide area."

But Councillors Armorel Carlyon is not happy.

"I'd like to have much more detailed information on the matter. I think it's going to cost them a lot of money and I'm not satisfied we've got all the figures," she said.

County councillor Neil Plummer said: "I think they should have been involved in the first place. It's a well-run Cornish company - they should be allowed to tender."

Residents unhappy

Any new incinerator is likely to be sited near the village of Roche much to the concern of local residents.

Alan Rowe from the protest group, CAIR, believes there's no long-term role for CES.

He said: "The involvement of CES is rather late in the day. They were involved a couple of years ago but didn't really come up with robust proposals to deal with the waste management programme and I think they will struggle to become involved at this stage."