Bristol Waste bosses have denied the city council’s company is in significant financial trouble despite “very serious concerns” over its future. As reported, the local authority has told the business to “live within its means” and is increasing the funding for its main waste contract by just five per cent when inflation is 10 per cent in the industry.
Cost-cutting measures proposed by the firm – approved by cabinet on Tuesday, March 7 – include slashing the street-cleansing budget by 30 per cent, closing the city’s tips two days a week, a big hike in garden waste subscription fees and new charges for recycling including DIY waste, Christmas trees and replacement kerbside bins and boxes. Council chiefs have even accepted expert advice that the whole system of the authority having arms-length companies to run some of its services should be reviewed, according to cabinet papers.
The documents say: “There are very serious concerns regarding the viability of the business in future years.” Bristol Waste originally produced a five-year business plan in December but the authority demanded changes, resulting in a plan lasting only one year from April, which was scrutinised by the cross-party overview and scrutiny management board (OSMB) on Friday, March 3.
