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Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have been recognised by 4ps, local government's partnerships and project delivery specialist, for their innovative approach to the Joint Procurement of Refuse Collection Services with Serco
Local Government. In doing so, they beat off a £215m deal involving Newcastle and North Tyneside Councils for the top slot.
Building on the success of Suffolk's Joint Municipal Waste Strategy, and some of the highest recycling rates in the Country, two Waste Collection Authorities, Mid Suffolk DC and Babergh DC recognised the potential for further joint working and for significant operational savings by the procurement of a single waste collection contract utilising a single service provider.
More than simply a joint procurement exercise, the Councils developed a single specification and contract document, formulated a 'Partnering Agreement', appointed a joint Client Team, and for governance purposes have convened a Joint Management Board comprising officers and elected members from both Councils.
The resultant contract commenced on 2nd April 2007 and is believed to be the only one of its kind. Both Councils estimate savings of at least £130,000 per annum with the potential for further savings in due course.
Councillor Clive Arthey, Babergh’s Waste Management Strategy Champion and Mid Suffolk Councillor Roy Barker, (Badwell Ash), Portfolio Holder for Waste and Environment received their award for excellence in Joint Procurement at a national ceremony in London on Thursday 28 June from Paul Coen, Chief Executive of the LGA.
Chris Wilson, Executive Director, 4ps, said: “The high level of entries to this year’s awards demonstrates that public private partnerships are working. There are many examples of PPP projects which have improved customer services, provided innovative solutions to complex projects and helped to deliver efficiency savings.
We were very impressed with the Joint Procurement Waste Contract, which is an example of a highly successful PPP project that has made a real contribution to the Mid Suffolk and Babergh regions.”
Clive Arthey, Babergh’s Waste Management Strategy Champion explained: “This 4ps award is a pleasing ‘thumbs up’ from the experts in local government procurement. All Suffolk authorities have been working together on waste and recycling, and this is another example of how joint working can bring real benefits to the Council Taxpayer. The joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk waste contract is worth up to £90m – and could deliver projected savings of £4.5m to both councils over its lifetime”.
Roy Barker, Portfolio Holder for Waste & Environmental Services: “I was honoured to pick up this award in Westminster on behalf of all those waste and procurement officers at Mid Suffolk and Babergh who have worked so hard to make this unique contract (first in the country) an outstanding success.
By going into a joint partnership for refuse collection, this has saved money for the residents of the two districts. All involved should be congratulated on this very special award.”
Mid Suffolk and Babergh won one of eight awards presented at the 4ps’ annual awards for PPP excellence.
The entries were judged by a panel of key figures from across local government
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