Focsa – which is a subsidiary of Spanish environmental services firm FCC and sister firm to WRG – will take over services from waste management firm Veolia Environmental Services from April 1 2009. The deal is worth around £3.7 million per year – with the possibility of a seven-year extension.
It will also invest in a new fleet of up to 30 vehicles and equipment, including 10 state-of-the-art refuse collection vehicles, as well as developing a new depot at Theddingworth to centralise its operations.
The depot will significantly reduce the mileage travelled by the vehicles between different facilities and consequently the disruptions to the traffic in the main population areas.
There will be a further reduction in the carbon footprint through the use of technologically-advanced engines which comply with the most stringent European regulations in terms of fuel efficiency and pollutant emissions.
Acknowledging Harborough district council's success in achieving a recycling rate of over 51%, Focsa Services UK operations director John Harris said: “We're delighted to be working alongside an authority with such a successful track record in responsible waste management and recycling.”
He added: “The team is looking forward to building on this success on behalf of residents, businesses and other organisations.”
Cllr Michael Rook, Harborough Council's spokesman for environmental delivery, added: “We are very excited to welcome Focsa, who come with an enviable reputation for delivering a quality service.
He added: “We will work together to ensure the changeover runs as smoothly as possible, and to keep residents updated on planned improvements.”
Harborough district council covers 238 square miles of South Leicestershire including the towns of Market Harborough, Lutterworth and a large number of parishes.
Subscribe for free