SENIOR Newport council Labour figure Ray Truman says the new Labour administration needs to look carefully at a controversial waste scheme which could fund an incinerator.

David Fouweather, deputy Tory leader, has called on Newport's Labour group to come clean on whether it wants to drop incineration and restart Prosiect Gwyrdd from scratch.

Newport Labour said in its election manifesto it would oppose incineration - the only technology being considered by the consortium.

Yet deputy leader Councillor Truman said it's too early to discuss the administration's intentions in answers to written questions from Cllr Fouweather.

The consortium of five councils including Newport is weighing up two incineration schemes - one proposed by Veolia at Llanwern and another in Cardiff - for non-recyclable waste.

Cllr Fouweather asked Cllr Truman if the council wanted to withdrawal from the project.

"It would be premature to talk about the direction the cabinet will take," Cllr Truman wrote back.

Cllr Fouweather then asked what technology the administration's prefers and whether it wanted to start the tender again.

Cllr Truman repeated the answer, adding as Veolia's planning application is due before planning committee it was inappropriate to comment.

The deputy leader wrote: "We will need to look carefully at the council's position in the light of all the factors, including the agreement signed by the previous administration."

Cllr Fouweather told the Argus: "They need to come clean - either they stick with incineration or they risk the financial implication of not doing so."

He said to pick other options the whole Prosiect Gwyrdd committee would have to agree to start again. He said they will miss waste targets and could incur costs from the bidding firms.

Council leader Bob Bright said all initiatives related to Prosiect Gwyrdd will continue to be thoroughly scrutinised.

He added: "The new Labour administration will follow the correct council procedures to ensure that we have environmental sustainability at the heart of our city, doing all that we can to achieve the highest possible recycling levels, but not at any price."