Issue - decisions
Waste Service Review and Update and Ubico Contract Extension
10/03/2023 - Waste Service Review and Update and Ubico Contract Extension
Ahead of this item of business, Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, reiterated to those in attendance that if was anyone wished to refer to information contained within the private document pack, the meeting would first have to agree to enter private session.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for the Environment, introduced the report which updated the Executive on the Council’s waste service review, and the Ubico contract for waste, recycling and associated collections, services, street cleansing & grounds maintenance services.
Councillor Arciszewska gave a detailed overview of Ubico as a ‘Teckal’ company and how, as a whole, how it carried out its business on behalf of district councils, offering good value for money on services provided.
In debate, a question was raised as to whether or not a ‘brake clause’ be added into Ubico’s contract after 1 year with the Council, and it was consequently confirmed that the Council does have a brake clause and could terminate the contract with 12 months’ notice. It was also highlighted that there was a further additional income receipt of approximately £2 million from green waste collection.
Attention was also drawn to the fact that previous report versions of the waste service review had not been completed, and had not been subject to scrutiny from the appropriate committees of the Council. Officers confirmed that this was making reference to the service review report and that briefings had taken place. The Council’s Chief Executive confirmed that this was a separate work stream.
Councillor Arciszewska proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Graham, was put to a vote and was unanimously agreed by the Executive.
Executive Resolved to:
- Endorse the proposal contained in the report;
- Recommend to Council that the current contract with Ubico is extended until 31 March 2026.