Issue details

Lichfield District Council works in partnership with Tamworth Borough to deliver a waste collection service to local households.

The service collects dry mixed recycling (glass, cans, plastics, paper and card) using a dual-stream collection system, which it disposes through Biffa Waste Ltd, through a joint contract with South Staffordshire and Cannock Chase district councils.

The current three-year contract with Biffa Waste Ltd ends on 31 March 2025. The contract provides an option to extend for three one-year periods. On 6 July 2021, Cabinet delegated the responsibility to enter contracts to support the dry recycling service, provided the costs can be met from within existing budgets, to the Cabinet Member responsible for waste and recycling and the head of operational services.

The partnership of the councils is content with the service provided by Biffa Waste Ltd. This paper proposes extending the contract for one-year to 31 March 2026 on the basis that the cost increases will be negated through increased income.

It is also felt that extending the contract is prudent as it will allow more clarity on the future landscape to emerge, given the impact of local government reorganisation and the upcoming changes in the waste market, due extended producer responsibility which will significantly impact the financial modelling of dry recycling in the UK.