Purpose

The current agreement with the incumbent
service provider for the delivery of waste and related services
terminates on 31st March 2027. This report considers the proposal
from the incumbent provider, alongside the alternative options
available to the Council.

Content

The purpose of the report was to seek Cabinet
approval to proceed with negotiations and to enter into a Common
Service Agreement with Ubico Limited
for the delivery of waste collection, street cleansing, and grounds
maintenance services, with the new agreement proposed to replace
the current contract which was due to expire on 31 March 2027.
 
Councillor Andrea Pellegram, Cabinet Member for Environment & Regulatory Services,
introduced the report which described Cotswold District
Council’s current Service Contract with Ubico Limited for waste collection, street
cleansing, and grounds maintenance which was due to expire on 31
March 2027. Ubico had proposed
replacing individual contracts with a Common Service Agreement
across its shareholder authorities, providing a single contractual
framework while allowing for local service specifications.
 
Given the scale of Local Government
Reorganisation and the need to maintain service continuity, the
Common Service Agreement (CSA) was described as a proportionate and
flexible approach, with the CSA providing a shared contractual
framework across shareholder authorities while allowing locally
tailored service specifications.
 
It was noted that the approach supported
service continuity, allowed for future flexibility in light of
Local Government Reorganisation, and enabled novation to a new
Unitary Authority if required. 
Alternative delivery models were noted but, given the timing and
scale of Local Government Reorganisation, continuation of the
current delivery model was considered the most proportionate
approach at this stage.
 
The recommendations were proposed by
Councillor Andrea Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Mike
Evemy.
 
RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed to :

1.   
enter into a Common Service Agreement with Ubico as described in this report, and

2.   
delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Place in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory
Services to agree the final terms of the agreement with
Ubico.
 
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions