Waste and Recycling Collection Services

The award of this contract will ensure continuity of statutory service provision whilst a fully compliant procurement process is undertaken.

Although this doesn’t represent part of the justification, the procurement for a new contract is anticipated to go live in summer 2026, with preliminary market engagement commencing in November 2025. A preliminary market engagement notice has been published on Find a Tender:

• Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-062840
• Web link: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062840-2025 ↗

We invite interested parties to participate in the market engagement and the upcoming procurement.

The current service fleet is reaching the end of its operational life and will need to be replaced on commencement of the next contract. The direct award period will provide sufficient time for a successful provider to source the necessary fleet and machinery and to fully mobilise the service ahead of the new contract start date. The estimated lead time for sourcing the required fleet is approximately 15 - 18 months. Given the significant capital investment required, it is prudent and commercially advantageous (for both the Council and the future service provider) to align the sourcing of new fleet and equipment to the commencement of a new long-term contract.

Additionally, changes in recycling legislation will have a substantial impact on the waste collection service and therefore it was not considered appropriate to commence a re-procurement under the existing legislation when we were aware the change would occur during the period of a potential procurement itself. The direct award period will allow the Council time to gain clarity on these legislative changes, ensuring that all new legal requirements are appropriately reflected in the specification and requirements of the upcoming procurement.

It is also anticipated that the future procurement exercise will include ‘lots’ for Street Cleansing and Grounds Maintenance. The direct award period will ensure that all the contracts to be included in the new procurement are co-terminus.