Tendring District Council (TDC) is set to revisit its new multi-million-pound waste and recycling contract to align it with the timetable for local government reorganisation and ensure it remains affordable.

The Council is currently in the process of procuring a new contract for waste and recycling collections, as well as street cleaning services. These contracts, currently delivered by Veolia Environmental Services, are due to expire in early 2026.

Council leaders have already committed to maintaining fortnightly collections and expanding recycling services - such as introducing kerbside glass collection and increasing access to food waste recycling.

Last year, TDC’s Cabinet agreed to combine both services into a single eight-year contract, guided by a set of core principles.

However, since then central government has announced plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) with Greater Essex now in the priority programme.

With TDC likely to be replaced by a new unitary council and with early proposals from bidders suggesting a contract price over the current budget - by more than £7million a year - it has prompted a rethink.

To keep the service financially sustainable until the transition to a new unitary authority, Cabinet members will now consider revising the contract principles at a meeting on Friday (23 May).

This includes shortening the contract term to three years and altering enhancements to service that were aimed at providing the best possible street cleaning service for high footfall areas of the district.  

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said the council is committed to championing our local environment and set out to get the best service it could for residents.

“The new contract will deliver real benefits for our residents - including new kerbside glass collection and food waste collections for more residents,” he said.

“We will also retain fortnightly rubbish collections and there will also be no reduction in street cleaning.

“Since we began this process, the Government has announced plans for LGR and Tendring is now part of the Greater Essex priority programme.

“With potential changes to how councils operate, it also makes sense to consider a shorter contract that gives us more flexibility in the years ahead.

“We remain committed to delivering a high-quality waste and recycling service that meets the needs of our residents and protects our environment, but we must also be realistic about LGR and what is affordable for TDC.

“It had been expected that the underlying costs of the contractors would rise due to inflationary pressures, while costs have also increased due to the requirements of the Environment Act 2021 that introduces additional kerbside recycling from 2026.”

The new contract will ensure compliance with the Environment Act 2021, which requires councils to collect a broader range of recyclable materials, including flexible plastics from 2027.

“Residents have told us that they want better recycling options and no reduction in collections,” added Councillor Smith.

“We’re listening - and working hard to deliver a service that’s environmentally responsible, financially sustainable and which has minimal disruption to residents.”