The decision, which was approved by councillors at a meeting yesterday, will also see the contractor takeover services including street cleaning and graffiti removal from existing contractor Cory, which has held the contract since 1990.
The contract, which is believed to be worth between £100-150 million, is set to run for around 15 and a half years – with a break clause after eight years. It also includes the operation of the borough’s HWRCs and the construction and operation of a waste transfer station.
The council’s long term contractor Cory dropped out of the running to renew the deal in August, after having not been successful in the first pre-qualification stage of the procurement process.
Should Veolia now sign the deal, it will also have seen off competition from Serco, Urbaser, Amey, Biffa and SITA UK (now SUEZ).
Recycling
Commenting on the award, councillor Martin Terry, Southend’s executive councillor for public protection, waste and transport, said: “Veolia has committed to further improving upon our recycling rates, maintaining weekly collections, delivering a first-class service to our residents and businesses, maintaining an attractive street scene across the Borough and providing the best possible value for council tax-payers’ money by delivering significant savings. Residents can also be assured that services will remain uninterrupted.
“To deliver savings, whilst getting an expanded and improved service cannot be underestimated in a time of on-going central Government cuts.
“It is also important to add that staff working for our current contractor, Cory Environmental, will transfer to the new contractor, therefore protecting local employment.”
Estelle Brachlianoff, Veolia’s senior executive vice president UK and Ireland added: “We are extremely pleased to be announced as preferred bidder and are looking forward to working in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to deliver increased recycling rates and high quality services for all residents.”
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