Issue - meetings

To receive the report from the Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport and the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment & Transport and to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member.

(1)       The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport which contained information concerning a procurement undertaken by KCC Waste Management to identify providers for the management and operation of Household Waste Recycling Centres and Transfer Stations in Kent for the consideration of the Committee.  Roger Wilkin, Head of Waste Management, was in attendance to introduce the report and in particular referred to the following:

(2)       The proposed contracts were required to prevent extension of existing contracts which would be in breach of Procurement Regulations.  A transparent and accountable procurement process had been used to select providers.

(3)       KCC has a statutory responsibility as the Waste Disposal Authority for the disposal of household waste and as such the contracts are a fundamental requirement to ensure waste can be managed cost-effectively and via environmentally sound methods.

(4)       Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) had been undertaken to inform the contract specification and assess the impacts of the procurement process. Resulting action plans had been implemented to ensure equitable access for Kent householders with regard to protected characteristics. The EqIAs informed the inclusion of equality related mandatory requirements within the tender documents including:

•        Designated staff as ‘equality champions’ for customer care at each facility;

•        Ensuring facility signage is clear and appropriate for customers where language and literacy may present as barrier to using the service; and

•        All HWRCs are managed in line with KCC’s policies including the Disability Access Scheme.

(5)       HWRC and TS facilities would be leased/licenced to the selected providers through KCC Property.

(6)       The proposed contract spend by KCC would be approximately £7.8m per year for an initial period of up to six years, with a possible extension of up to six years based on performance and there was potential to secure financial savings through these new contracts. 

(7)       Analysis and review of performance would be ongoing.  Due to procurement regulations the current contracts cannot legally be extended ad infinitum.

(8)       The contracts were for two lots over twelve sites and would be awarded to a maximum of two suppliers but could be only one.

(9)       RESOLVED that the Committee endorse the award of contracts to the preferred tenderers following completion of the procurement process for the provision of the Management and Operation of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) and Transfer Stations (TS) to ensure service continuity.

a)      Lot 2: Mid Kent facilities – 5 HWRCs; 2 TS

b)      Lot 3: East Kent facilities – 7 HWRCs; 1 TS