The Cabinet of Merton Council met on Wednesday 17 May 2023, agreeing to a new specification for recycling and waste collection services and awarding a contract for security and support services. The meeting also saw the confirmation of previous minutes and the agreement of recommendations related to both agenda items.

Waste and Street Cleansing Commissioning Specification

The council has agreed to a new specification for recycling and waste collection services, which will be used to go to market for a new waste provider. This follows a decision to separate waste services, bringing street cleansing back in-house while outsourcing collections. The new specification includes enhancements to performance management and governance of the contract. Specific improvements planned include better collections from large estates, provision for food waste collections from shops, and the introduction of improved containment and future bin containers to prevent waste spillage.

Councillor O'Reilly, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change, explained that the report details the approach to the collections part of the service. She highlighted that the specification aims to bring more rigour and structure to performance management and governance. Councillor Billy Christie asked for more detail on how the contract would benefit residents, to which Councillor O'Reilly responded by mentioning improvements for larger estates and terraced properties that become Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and lack adequate storage.

Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change, emphasised that putting residents at the heart of the council's work is a key aim and that resident feedback has shaped this proposal. She noted that a consultation with over 2,500 responses indicated general satisfaction with the collection service, with 63% satisfaction. However, issues with street cleaning, which is being brought back in-house, were identified. The proposed enhancements for collections directly address resident feedback regarding large estates, flats above shops, and improving collection services for these properties. The Cabinet agreed to recommendations A to F.

Awarded Contract for Security and Support Services

A new contract for security and support services has been awarded, covering the Pacific Centre, other council-owned buildings, and ad hoc events across the borough. The contract is for three years with a potential one-year extension. This consolidated contract wraps up all physical security contracts and provides event security services. A key feature of the new contract is that all staff involved will be paid at least the London Living Wage, aligning with the council's accreditation as a Living Wage employer. The Cabinet agreed to recommendations one and two.