A Private Finance Initiative contract between Nottinghamshire County Council and Veolia, which allegedly did not give the public value for money, has been cleared after an investigation by the district auditor. Campaigners fighting to stop the building of an incinerator in Rainworth approached the district auditor claiming the waste contract between the authority and the firm, which included the provision of an incinerator, would not offer best value. But after an investigation he has ruled there are no grounds to believe the public would not get value for money from the 27-year deal. A spokeswoman for the county council said he found the contract made sure that clear arrangements would be in place for Veolia to overhaul and maintain the facility on a regular basis, a major concern of local protesters. ‘He was satisfied the council had taken steps to make sure that it had secured value for money from the contract and had used independent financial, legal and specialist advice.’ She said DEFRA had taken a keen interest in ensuring the authority got the best commercial deal.