Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) has taken a decisive step by appointing Specialist Fleet Services (SFS) for the maintenance of its waste and recycling fleet.
- An eight-year contract commences in November, focusing on a new fleet of 52 vehicles, including 30 refuse collection vehicles.
- The transition includes over 100 staff being retained through TUPE, ensuring continuity in operations.
- The fleet maintenance will be centred at a new hub in North Weald Airfield, highlighting significant investment in infrastructure.
- This partnership aims to address past challenges, offering flexibility and cost-saving benefits to the council and its residents.
Epping Forest District Council has strategically decided to internalise its waste and recycling fleet’s maintenance by appointing Specialist Fleet Services (SFS). This significant move follows the council’s earlier decision to end its arrangement with Biffa, thereby assuming direct oversight of waste collections. The newly awarded eight-year contract marks the beginning of an innovative chapter in the council’s service provision.
The agreement entails the management of a newly commissioned fleet, comprising 52 vehicles. This fleet includes 30 state-of-the-art 26-tonne refuse collection vehicles supplied by Dennis Eagle, alongside support vehicles such as sweepers, tippers, and vans. This strategic move equips the council to adapt to the dynamic requirements of waste management effectively.
A crucial aspect of this transition is the accommodation of over 100 existing staff members through the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE), ensuring that operational expertise is retained. In addition, SFS will recruit further personnel to bolster fleet management and maintenance capabilities effectively.
The operational hub for this fleet will be established at the council’s new environmental operations centre located at North Weald Airfield. This investment not only signifies the council’s commitment to infrastructure but also facilitates efficient maintenance operations.
Councillor Ray Balcombe highlighted the importance of this partnership by stating: ‘Waste collection is a vital service, and it’s clear that there have been challenges in the past, which have affected our residents. This partnership offers EFDC greater flexibility. Utilising the SFS fleet is not only more cost-effective but also allows us to adapt the vehicles according to the evolving needs of the service.’
Furthermore, Bob Sweetland, Managing Director of SFS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, remarking: ‘We are thrilled to be brought on board at the beginning of this exciting new era for the council’s waste and recycling service provision. We are confident that we are the right partner to keep the council’s fleet running smoothly and efficiently, and we look forward to helping the council deliver sustained improvements to the service.’
This partnership marks a proactive step towards enhancing waste services and operational efficiency within Epping Forest District.
