Director of Dorset Waste Partnership dismissed

Dorset Waste Partnership is overseen by representatives from seven Dorset councils

The director of a waste project who was suspended after it overspent nearly £3m of its budget has been dismissed.

Steve Burdis was suspended in 2015 after Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) reported a £2.8m overspend, prompting a review.

The review found it had spent more than £1.5m on hire vehicles without a proper tendering process and had failed to insure vehicles correctly.

DWP said recruitment for a new director was under way.

In a statement, DWP said: "An appeal panel was convened on 8 March to hear an appeal against the dismissal of Dorset Waste Partnership's director, Steve Burdis.

"Mr Burdis's appeal was dismissed by the panel. The council's disciplinary and appeal procedures have now been concluded."

DWP is overseen by a joint committee made up of councillors from Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council, West Dorset District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Its staff are employed by Dorset County Council.