CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new incinerator in north Bucks will come under the spotlight again when it is re-examined by a council scrutiny committee.

Recently, Buckinghamshire County Council decided to award a 30-year contract for the future treatment of waste FCC Environment UK, formerly WRG Ltd.

A proposed plant in Calvert, north Bucks, where rubbish would be burned to turn into energy, is the key element of the strategy.

The council says the plant would save it about £100m over 30 years and generate low carbon electricity for up to 36,000 homes.

A final decision on the incinerator has been put on ice until Autumn.

Already, a sub-plan for an expansion of High Heavens waste centre, where rubbish will be bulked up before being transferred to Calvert has been approved.

It was given the go ahead despite outcry over an extra 21 lorries per day travelling to the site.

Now, the council's Overview and Scrutiny Commissioning Committee will now meet on September 4 to decide whether to request the council's Cabinet reconsiders its decision to award the contract to FCC.

Councillor Michael Brand and other colleagues requested further scrutiny of the decision via the ‘call-in’ procedures which enables County Members to challenge decisions made by the Cabinet.

The committee will hear evidence on how and why the decision was made, including statements from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Steven Adams, Councillor Michael Brand and other key witnesses.

Committee Chairman, Lesley Clarke said: "The call-in process is an important part of the Council’s decision-making processes and ensures proper openness and transparency. Whilst the Committee has no powers to veto the decision, it can, based on the evidence presented, decide whether there are grounds to refer the decision back to Cabinet or full Council for further consideration."

Two other proposals for waste transfer stations, similar to the High Heavens scheme, and linked to the new waste strategy, have been rejected in the past fortnight.

The Amersham and Burnham proposal decisions could be appealed, however.

The scrutiny meeting takes place at 9.30am on September 4 at County Hall, Aylesbury and the public are welcome.

Alternatively, it can be viewed live online at the council's website.

Residents can write in to give their views to the committee and have a deadline of 5pm August 22.

Call 01296 383604 for more information.