Purpose

As a "waste collection authority", Dacorum Borough Council (the Council) has a duty to collect "household waste" under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended (EPA 1990).

The Council has committed to its residents and businesses to maintain a Clean, Safe and Green Environment and uses 4 Wheeled Bins (Steel) for refuse because they are durable, easy to move, and help keep streets clean:

• Durability: Wheeled bins can last up to 20 years.
• Easy to move: The wheels make it easier to move the bins around.
• Keep streets clean: Animals can't tear open wheeled bins, so they don't scatter rubbish.
• Reduce smells: The lids on wheeled bins reduce smells.
• Prevent wet rubbish: The lids on wheeled bins stop rubbish from getting wet in the rain.
• Increase recycling: Wheeled bins can restrict how much rubbish people throw away, which can lead to more recycling.
• Reduce injuries: Wheeled bins can reduce injuries to residents and staff who move sacks.
• Reduce street litter: Wheeled bins can reduce street litter from sack spillage.
• Monitor misuse: Wheeled bins can make it easier to monitor the misuse of bins.

To ensure the bins are in good condition, safe and usable, they need to be maintained to prevent deterioration and the need for costly replacements.

The Council send 300-400 bins annually to be refurbished or repaired with a four-year average expenditure on 4 Wheeled Bins Repair & Spares of circa £50,000 per annum.

Expenditure may increase because of changes in legislation, demographics, and the increasing cost of manufacturing and raw materials. However, due to the measures put in place to mitigate the number of replacement bins, expenditure for the next four years is still estimated at £200,000, with an annual spend of circa £50,000.

The bins are removed from site to be repaired at their own premises. The Council uses a third party to undertake repairs where the council does not have the capacity or capability to carry out the needed repair.

Decision

To award a four-year contract for the supply of 4 Wheeled Bins (Steel) Repair and Spares under the ESPO Framework 860_22 Lot 3.

Alternative options considered

To be compliant, the only option available to the Council was to either go to open tender or seek to award via the framework. With only two known suppliers, both of whom are on the framework, it made most sense to use route to market.