Director leaves troubled waste partnership

The partnership was formed in 2011 by Dorset CC, Christchurch and Weymouth & Portland BCs, and East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck and West Dorset DCs.

In March, the partnership’s former director, Steve Burdis, was suspended pending an investigation into the way the body was managed.

Consultancy firm WYG was appointed to get the finances of the partnership back on track in the wake of a £2.8m budget overspend which has been borne by the councils involved. WYG selected Mattravers as temporary director.

He was in charge of delivering 37 recommendations made by the partnership’s management board when he left the role on 14 August, LGC’s sister title Materials Recycling World reports.

MRW understands that Mattravers has moved to Hong Kong where he is setting up a recycling business.

A partnership spokesman said: “WYG’s support is due to finish at the end of August. All but four of the actions are now complete or have been adopted as new, more rigorous business practices. The four ongoing items have become projects in their own right.

“Nigel Mattravers was the DWP’s interim director during this period, with WYG’s Len Attrill supporting the DWP operations team. Nigel left his position on 14 August having been offered a new role overseas. Len will be continuing in his role as a consultant for a further month.”

“Steve Burdis remains suspended while an external investigation is completed. Partner councils are currently considering interim leadership arrangements.”

In the meantime, the partnership is being overseen by Mike Harries, Dorset CC’s director of environment and economy and chair of the Dorset Waste Partnership Management Board, and Steve Mackenzie, chief executive of Purbeck DC.