Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 10, 2026

Purpose:

Content: DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO THIS ITEM:   None   RESOLVED:   That Cabinet:   1.    Approved, subject to the 30?day Section?20 consultation with leaseholders and the 10?day standstill period (which could run concurrently), the award of the contract to Bidder?B (the Preferred Bidder) named in the exempt portion of the report, in accordance with CSO?2.01(c). The contract value was £230,358,134, commencing on 17?April?2027 for an initial period of eight years, with the option to extend for a further eight years in aggregate. 2.    Approved that the results of the leaseholder consultation would be considered through a further report to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning.   Reasons for decision:   As a Waste Collection Authority, the Council had a statutory duty to collect waste and recycling from all households within the borough, and to keep public spaces clean and free of litter. Awarding the contract enabled the Council to continue fulfilling this duty for the subsequent eight?year period.   The Preferred Bidder had submitted the most economically advantageous tender following evaluation of both price and quality, achieving the highest overall score.   The Preferred Bidder committed to delivering service standards that exceeded the Council’s minimum requirements in several areas, improving service outcomes for residents and supporting the Council in meeting its wider objectives.   All bidders engaged with the Council through a Competitive Dialogue process, enabling them to refine and improve their solutions. The Preferred Bidder’s final solution was assessed as capable of meeting the Council’s needs most effectively.   The contract would deliver significant additional benefits, including reduced vehicle emissions, enhanced contract?management arrangements, increased recycling initiatives, and innovative IT solutions such as on?board weighing. The new service model was aligned with the statutory requirements of the Environment Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, including the introduction of 180?litre wheeled containers for non?recyclable waste and the expansion of food?waste collections to all residents.     Alternative options considered:   The option of doing nothing and allowing the current contract to expire on 16?April?2027 with no alternative arrangements in place was rejected, as the Council would have been unable to fulfil its statutory duties. All other options—including extending the current arrangements for a further five years or in?sourcing services—had been discounted in the October?2024 Cabinet report. The Waste Services Review concluded that procuring a new contract offered the best value for the Council. Having reviewed the outcomes of the Waste Services Review alongside the solution offered by the Preferred Bidder, awarding the contract remained the best?value option while ensuring compliance with new statutory requirements arising from the Environment Act.