The procurement of a joint waste collection contract between Chiltern and Wycombe district councils in Buckinghamshire has moved into the latter stages with the new service to commence in March 2013.
Three bidders are left in the running for the work, which covers the collection of waste and recycling as well as street cleansing. The deal is set to run for an initial period of seven to ten years, with the option to extend for two further periods of seven years.
Giving an update on the contract, minutes from a meeting of Chilterns cabinet earlier this month (August 3) state: The new joint Waste Collection contract with Wycombe district council is currently in the latter stages of the procurement process and the new service will commence in March 2013.
“Previously reported savings options did include a conservative estimate of likely annual revenue savings. A more accurate assessment of the expected savings will be made following tender award in October 2012.
A spokeswoman for Chiltern said this week that the negotiations are at a sensitive stage and that the three remaining bidders could not be named.
Chiltern and Wycombes existing contractors are Biffa and Veolia respectively.
Chiltern and Wycombe originally received bids from eight potential contractors when the contract was first put out to tender in December 2010.
Confidential
The contract is set to start on March 4 2013 although it was originally planned to begin on November 1 2012. The councils have said they agreed to the March date to enable the work on the procurement of the new joint contract to be rescheduled, and to mitigate risks associated with rolling out a new collection contract during the winter.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com earlier this week (August 15), Councillor Peter Martin, member of the Chiltern and Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Board, representing Chiltern, said: We are at a confidential stage and nothing is certain. I dont want to release any details before we have communicated with our members and residents.
A spokesman for Wycombe commented: “Chiltern District Council and Wycombe District Council are engaged in Stage 2 competitive dialogue with three bidders and further details will be made available when appropriate.”
Service
The councils have said the contract will allow for more types of materials will be able to be collected, which should lead to significant increase in recycling levels. Chilterns recycling rate for 2011/12 is estimated to be 47%, while in Wycombe the recycling rate is 41.7%.
Chiltern said the service will offer residents an equal opportunity to participate in recycling schemes. The service change will also see food waste and garden waste collected separately. At present, both districts collect food and garden waste together in a wheeled bin. There are 68,000 households in Wycombe and 36,900 in Chiltern.
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