Accord chosen for 80m Gloucester contract

Speaking to letsrecycle.com today, the city council said that by linking its new service provider's waste collection services to levels of public satisfaction, it hopes to reach recycling rates of 50% by 2009.

” This is one of the most fundamental and exciting changes to the delivery of council services that we have seen in the city. “
– Cllr Andrew Lewis, Gloucester CC
Under the long-term deal, which is likely to be finalised for a contract signing in January, Accord will introduce alternate weekly collections of residual waste and recyclables in 2008.

The company will also roll out green waste collections to the half of the city where they are not yet provided, using new wheeled bins which will also accept food waste. A new plastic and cardboard recycling service, alongside existing paper and glass collections, will also be available.

Gloucester missed its 18% recycling rate target in 2005/06 according to the latest results (see recycling league tables) with a 15.8% rate, but has since seen its performance rise to around 23%.

Frances Mangan, Gloucester's Streetcare project manager, said: “Accord will take over from our in-house refuse and recycling team on February 1st next year. We are looking at the step change to alternate weekly coming in during 2008 and are looking at upgrading the materials recycling facility on Eastern Avenue with a 3 million investment.”

Under the contract, which also covers street cleaning, public toilets and the management of parks and open spaces, Ms Mangan explained that public satisfaction would be measured by a series of surveys and a street-care board and forum, which would see representatives from all the different areas of Gloucester as well as council officers and Accord meet quarterly to discuss waste and recycling issues.

She said: “We are hoping we will be engaging communities in helping us to us to understand them better. We will agree action plans for each area by the end of the first year and hope to use it as a strategic consultation tool.”

Changes
Councillor Andrew Lewis, cabinet member for Streetcare at Gloucester council, said: “This is one of the most fundamental and exciting changes to the delivery of council services that we have seen in the city.”

“It will see major investment in services that residents have told us are important to them. It involves residents in the delivery of those services. And, crucially, it links the performance directly to levels of satisfaction with the delivery of those services. Within the next four years we fully expect to be one of the best performing and cleanest cities in the country.”

Richard West, commercial director of Accord plc, added: “Accord shares the council's determination to put Gloucester in the top league for clean streets, green spaces and recycling. We look forward to working with local people to make this happen.”