There are to be no changes to existing rounds, with schedules and staffing all staying the same, but Ubico says it will adjust the service where it can identify improvements as part of its 10-year deal.
Ubico also says it has put in place measures to reduce the risk of impacts from Covid-19 and the national driver shortage to the service.
These measures include offering existing and prospective employees the opportunity to take part in an ‘earn to learn’ scheme which sees Ubico cover the costs of qualifying for an LGV driving licence.
Beth Boughton, managing director at Ubico, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome the council into our partnership, start delivery of services into Gloucester city and to start working with our new colleagues at the depot.
“Detailed preparations made over the past year in close partnership with our colleagues at Gloucester city council will ensure a smooth transition of the existing service into Ubico.”
Ubico will now provide environmental services to 300,000 residents across all boroughs and district councils in the county of Gloucestershire. In the process it will employ more than 900 staff.
Environmental concerns
To help deliver the Gloucester service and to reduce the environmental impact “in line with the city council’s green commitments”, Ubico has installed charging points at the Gloucester depot and ordered two electric cage tippers, which are Renault Master vans.
We’re pleased that Ubico shares our environmental concerns
- Cllr Richard Cook, Gloucester city council
Ubico planned to purchase a larger number of electric vehicles but said that due to “international supply chain issues”, and specifically those impacting the computer chips these vans require, it has been unable to secure them.
The company said it remains committed to improving the carbon footprint across all its council services over the coming years.
Cllr Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester city council, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Ubico, especially as shareholders we’re able to work even more closely with our partners to make improvements and to get the best value service for taxpayers.
“We’re also pleased that they share our environmental concerns and dedication to helping us meet our commitment to become a carbon neutral council.”
Contract
Gloucester city council approved Ubico’s bid to carry out waste collections in the area from the end of this month in March 2021, a year ahead of its contract with Urbaser ending(see letsrecycle.com story).
Urbaser acquired the contract from infrastructure services provider Amey as part of a bundle of six in January 2021 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Gloucester
Representing an estimated population of nearly 130,000, Gloucester city council had a household waste recycling rate of 43.8% in the 2020/21 financial year.
Ubico is a wholly local authority-owned company which provides an extensive range of environmental services including waste and recycling collections, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, building and toilet cleaning, and household waste recycling centre management.
Formed in 2011 by Cheltenham borough council and Cotswold district council, Ubico has expanded during the last nine years to include Tewkesbury borough council, Forest of Dean district council, West Oxfordshire district council, Stroud district council, Gloucestershire county council, and now Gloucester city council as shareholders.
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