A firm Liverpool Council controversially dumped after two decades could yet continue as its bulky item collection provider, but it must represent “best use of taxpayers' resources”.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed the local authority was ending its partnership with Bulky Bob’s after more than 20 years after deeming its terms to not provide best value. Since 2000, the council has used the company, part of the FRC Group, to collect and dispose of large furniture items for residents across the city. Distinctive purple trucks have been a regular sight in wards throughout Liverpool, picking up pieces from outside homes.
Cllr Liam Robinson, interim cabinet member for neighbourhoods, told a meeting of that same select committee that while the long-term collaboration had ended, it did not mean the two parties could not partner up again. He said the decision to sever ties boils down to “best use of taxpayers' resources” but it “isn’t the end of the road for Bulky Bob’s.”
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Internal emails from the local authority, seen by the ECHO, showed that from November 8, the council and Bulky Bob’s will no longer work together, after the company was asked to price an extension to their current contract but “on this occasion, their costs did not provide best value.”
As a result, an interim arrangement for removals is being put in place with Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited (LSSL) for a six-month period while the council goes out to full tender for a new provider. The interim cabinet member told councillors he was “disappointed” by the FRC Group “unilaterally” announcing the end of the working relationship, when a joint communications strategy was being agreed.
Cllr Robinson stressed that while the vehicles and staff providing it may change, the core tenets of the service will remain the same during the next six months as the council goes out to full tender. Chris Lomas, divisional manager for licensing and public protection, said it was "timely" that the council looks at what is available in the market given Bulky Bob's had run the service for 20 years.
Mr Lomas said for the next five months, the council would seek to collect data to guide its service moving forward and take part in further market engagement. Bulky Bob’s was created in 2000 by the FRC Group, a Liverpool-based social enterprise and charity.
The firm also offers large collections to residents in Oldham and has served that local authority since 2006. Cllr Joe Hanson, chair of the neighbourhoods select committee, said it is important the council moves quickly to reassure residents and had been "surprised" to receive the email confirming the split last night.
He added: "If we don't get this right, we'll have stuff getting dumped all over the city."
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