PAYROLL and waste removal services based a stone’s throw away from Durham Tees Valley Airport have been selected to operate at the site, cutting expensive contracts with companies countrywide.

The airport has hired Stockton-based ROVIN Environmental to provide specialist waste removal services while Teesside-based Tindle’s Chartered Accountants has also been appointed to manage the airport’s payroll services. The airport’s payroll was previously managed out of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has committed that “local companies will come first for new contracts” after the airport returned to public ownership in March.

Under the airport’s previous ownership, its annual audit was completed by London-based accountancy firm Deloitte. This work will now be done by Stockton-based firm, Tait Walker.

Stockton-based Close Protection Security has also been contracted to provide extra security on the 819-acre airport site.

The appointment of ROVIN Environmental and Tindle’s Chartered Accountants bolsters the Mayor’s plans to support North-East businesses and jobs.

Mr Houchen said: “Under the previous ownership, airport services were contracted out to companies around the country at great expense. However, by selecting local firms, we’re keeping our money in our area, and saving the airport cash in the process.

“As part of our 10 Year Rescue Plan, our priority to secure new flights to holiday destinations, but, in the meantime, we’re also working flat-out to ensure local companies come first for new contracts.

“It’s vitally important that our airport in public ownership supports as many local jobs as possible.”

Stobart Group, was announced as the operator of DTVA in 2019.

Steve Lake, director of ROVIN Environmental, added: “We’re thrilled to be working at Durham Tees Valley Airport on this important task. The airport’s commitment to use more local companies is the right thing to do and I look forward to seeing the list of local companies working at our airport grow.”

Rob Tindle, a partner at Tindle’s Chartered Accountants, said: “We are thrilled that we have been selected to manage the payroll for the airport and their staff.

“Tindle’s are strongly committed to Teesside and we are proud of our local recruitment and training programme.

“The airport is crucial to the success of our region and we’re really looking forward to getting stuck in and playing our part.”