Services firm Serco has signed a four year extension to its recycling and waste collections contract with Milton Keynes council, in a deal valued at a total of 48 million.
The newly signed contract, which also includes street cleansing, is intended to save the local authority around 170,000 per year. The deal includes a commitment to work with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the area in support of the councils localism policy.
Serco has carried out waste collection and street cleansing services on behalf of the Buckinghamshire authority since 2009, having taken over from previous contractor Cory Environmental.
The initial 10-year contract was worth up to 80 million when first awarded to the Hampshire-based firm, and the extension will take it to 2023 whilst also factoring in the savings for the local authority.
Councillors agreed to the extension at a meeting in April, having stated that the contract with the firm was among the most successful to date for the authority (see letsrecycle.com story).
Contract
‘Our experience of working with Serco as our waste collection and street cleansing partner has been extremely positive and were delighted to be able to extend that contract for a further four years.’
Andy Hudson, Milton Keynes council
Milton Keynes praised the contractor for helping to improve recycling rates within the area, and the high level of satisfaction with the service amongst residents.
Andy Hudson, head of environment and waste at Milton Keynes council, said: Our experience of working with Serco as our waste collection and street cleansing partner has been extremely positive and were delighted to be able to extend that contract for a further four years.
Under the new deal, Serco will work alongside the council and community interest firm Wastebuster to develop an Environmental Education Programme to schools in the borough. The programme will provide school children in key stages one and two with educational support on waste and recycling.
The contractor will also be providing textile banks through its supplier LM Barry, with all income generated from the scheme going to the authority.
Efficiency
Mike Boult, managing director of Sercos direct services business, said: We are delighted that Milton Keynes councils has selected Serco to deliver waste services to local residents for another four years and to expand our delivery of important services to the community.
Our track record in delivering vital community services here in Milton Keynes has helped us to understand and prioritise the needs of the local residents and business in conjunction with the council. We look forward to continuing and growing our relationship with Andy Hudson and the Milton Keynes team as we deliver these new and exciting services together.
Savings are being made through the contract via a number of changes including improving the efficiency of the collection fleet, with all of the vehicles operating on a one pass system, combining all recycling services in one collection and cutting down on vehicle hours.
Serco will also implement a waste collection guarantee which will see funds donated to the Mayors annual charity by the contractor if certain service agreements are not met.
Residents in Milton Keynes currently have their waste collected on a weekly basis, with black sacks for residual waste, pink sacks for recyclables including paper, card, plastic and metal, a blue box for glass and a green wheeled bin for food and garden waste.
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