Ealing council is looking to end its collections contract with current provider Amey, and consider an option to bring the service in-house.
If agreed by the council’s cabinet next week, the authority will give notice to end the 15-year contract, which was awarded to Amey – formerly Enterprise – in 2011.
In a statement, the council said the decision to review the end date of the contract has been taken “mutually with Amey”. And, if agreed, there would be a continuation of current arrangements until services are transferred.
Amey has been providing waste collection services for the council since 2013
‘Flexibility’
Commenting on the announcement, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure said: “By bringing these services back under our direct management we would have greater control, flexibility and security over a key service for local residents.
“By maintaining the high standards of our environmental services into the future we can also build on our superb record of recycling – currently the second highest in the capital at over 50%.
“We will also seek to get a better deal for staff providing these services, including paying them the London Living Wage.”
Commingled
Originally, Amey provided kerbside-sort services for residents as part of the contract. However, in 2015, the council’s cabinet approved plans to introduce commingled recycling collections across the borough (see letsrecycle.com story).
It was later announced that Viridor had won the contract to transport and process recycling on behalf of the council (see letsrecycle.com story). Previously, recyclables were collected source separated, and then marketed for reprocessing by Amey.
Following the change to the service, recyclables are collected commingled using blue wheeled bins. An alternate-weekly collection rota is currently in place for residual and recyclable waste.
Waste and recycling collections, street cleaning, and grounds maintenance are all part of environmental services provided by Amey.
‘Positive partnership’
In a statement, Amey, which has been providing waste collection services for the council since 2013 when the firm acquired Enterprise, said: “We are proud of our positive partnership with the council over the last five years.
“The financial environment has changed significantly since the signing of this contract. Both the council and Amey agreed to conduct a review of the contract so that it meets the needs of both parties.
“We look forward to understanding the council’s intentions following their meeting on 20 March.”
The decision to end the contract is subject to approval by the council at its cabinet meeting next week. If agreed, a decision on whether services could be brought in-house or run through a wholly-owned local authority company will be considered in June.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
