Liverpool Council is to appoint a long-term successor to Bulky Bob’s for collection of large household waste.
In October last year, the city council said it was ending its more than two-decade relationship with Bulky Bob’s - part of the FRC Group - having deemed its terms to no longer represent best value. The council had used the company to collect and dispose of large furniture items for residents across the city since 2000.
Distinctive purple trucks have been a regular sight in wards throughout Liverpool picking up pieces from outside homes. The last seven-year contract between the two partners ended after they were unable to reach an agreement.
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The local authority has confirmed it will now award a four and a half year contract worth around £2.3m to Liverpool Streetscene Services (LSSL) after the company stepped into the breach seven months ago to continue the free service. The decision will be signed off when Liverpool Council’s new cabinet meets for the first time on Tuesday June 6.
LSSL, which is wholly owned by Liverpool Council, was awarded a temporary contract after the terms between the authority and Bulky Bob’s ended. The city council said since then, waiting times for collection had been reduced from around four weeks to 10 days, and a new practice had been adopted whereby when collection crews are unable to gain access, they will return the next working day.
Additionally, the service has sought to redirect residents wishing to ensure their items are re-used, to local charities and reuse organisations. As part of negotiations and operational data gained over the past six months, LSSL has agreed to deliver 40,000 collection slots per year at an annual contract cost of £520,000.
As part of the new service, Liverpool residents can request up to five bulky items per individual property, up to five small electrical items and up to five bags of textiles - clothes, belts, shoes, handbags - per collection.
Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for communities, neighbourhoods and streetscene, said: “I’m delighted there’s been a radical cut in waiting times for bulky waste collection. It’s beginning to have an impact on how we tackle litter across the city but we need everyone to play their part too.
“We can’t just look to the council in making our neighbourhoods cleaner. Bulky waste collection is a statutory duty but we all have a duty to look after our environment and the recent improvements on collections means there’s no excuse to just leave or dump waste.
“The cost to the council in tackling this totally avoidable problem means we have less money and time to spend on other environmental services like looking after our parks and play areas, which everyone loves to use particularly in the summer.
“If we all contribute to keeping Liverpool tidy, no matter how small the effort, we all benefit - cleaner streets, nicer neighbourhoods and parks and ultimately less pollution and cleaner air which ultimately all helps to tackle climate change.” Cllr Robertson-Collins said the new contract demonstrates the council’s commitment to delivering best value and “our pledge to do the basics well.”
She said: “There’s room for improvement but there’s a desire on both sides to analyse how we achieve better results and help protect our environment – locally and globally.”
