Very positive response to waste services framework

The UKs first waste management services framework is on target to go live in May 2012 after receiving a very positive response from potential suppliers across the waste services industry.

The framework contract is being developed by Improvement and Efficiency South East (iESE) and the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWaRB) on behalf of local authorities. Once up and running, it will allow councils to choose from a list of approved suppliers for services without having to carry out a full procurement process in a bid to save them money.

In a statement issued by iESE today (March 12th) the organisation said: iESE has received a very positive response from potential suppliers across the waste, street cleansing and grounds maintenance industry for the first ever waste services framework. The process will now enter a period of evaluation, which includes representation from local authorities ensuring a rigorous and high-calibre process is in place.

The range of services offered under the framework fall into four categories: recycling and waste collection; street cleansing; grounds maintenance; and bulky waste collection.

Commenting on the response from potential contractors, councillor Paul Bettison, chairman of iESE, said: It is really encouraging that so many waste service contractors want to be involved in the framework. A lot of time and effort is required by the contractors before a bid is submitted and I would like to thank all potential suppliers for their continuing interest in this innovative approach to delivering services.

Suppliers

In November iESE invited 24 waste service providers to tender for the framework (see letsrecycle.com story). iESE said it could not comment at this stage on the number of bids taken forward since then for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Participating suppliers will pay an annual subscription fee to be part of the framework of which iESE will receive a percentage rebate from the annual throughput of the framework which is paid over the four years that it runs for.

Councils

Currently 141 local authorities have signed up to the framework which iESE claims could see them collectively save up to 85 million in procurement costs (see letsrecycle.com story).

Once in place the framework will allow councils to procure contracts individually or in partnership, appointing a single contractor for up to ten years.

Cllr Bettison said: The waste management services framework is about delivering the same, if not improved services for less money. It is about getting the best deal for the council taxpayer and one that also benefits the waste contractor.

He added: This framework is a ground breaking solution, co-designed between councils and the industry, helping more efficient services to be delivered all round. The more that get involved, the greater the market leverage will be.