Issue - meetings

All Councillors are invited to attend for this item to receive an update from the Waste and Recycling Manager.

All Councillors had been invited to the meeting for this item so that they had the opportunity to receive an update from the Waste and Recycling Manager on the Waste Collection Contract, receive an overview of the process and receive an update on the position in advance of the Special Cabinet meeting which was scheduled to take place on Friday 6^th December 2019.

The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the new contract procurement had been a considerable piece of work.  The report provided detail of the joint procurement process, which had a long lead in to ensure that the new arrangements would be in place at the correct time.  He explained that new vehicles would have to be purchased and there could be up to a forty week wait for delivery of new vehicles.

He reminded those present that Cabinet had taken the decision to enter into the joint procurement process in order to take advantage of the financial and environmental benefits of joint arrangements.

The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the final pricing for tenders had been received and these were currently being evaluated and would be presented to a special Cabinet meeting on 6th December 2019.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to the procurement process which was included in the report, legal implications, risks and requirements that bidders had to meet.  The Panel was also informed that the period of contract was based on the life of the collection vehicle, which was approximately eight years.  The cost of the vehicles could only be held for thirty days by the supplier.

The Chair thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager for his report and invited questions and comments from those present, as summarised below.

Councillor Kemp asked for clarification on how often bins would be emptied in unparished areas.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that this function was carried out by the Public Open Space team and did not form part of the contract, so would therefore remain unchanged.

Councillor Kemp raised concern that the new vehicles would be diesel and the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that consideration had to be given to the large geographical area that the vehicles would have to cover, meaning that the use of electric or hybrid vehicles was not an option because of the potential lack of range.

Councillor Kemp also made reference to the re-use of Bulky Waste.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that proposals for the re-use of Bulky Waste had been considered as part of the contract and proposals were being evaluated.

Councillor Joyce asked if the frequency of collections would change.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that they would not.

Councillor Joyce also asked about monitoring of the contract and if there was a break clause.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that there was the option to extend the initial eight year contract if arrangements were working.  Default notices would be reported to the Council as required and the Environment and Community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57