Local Plan - Whitstable, Thanet Way

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Serco retains £40m contract to empty bins in Canterbury

SERCO has retained the £40 million contract to empty the bins of Whitstable, Herne Bay and Canterbury. The city council announced the decision on Tuesday.

It followed a controversial three-way pitch where councillors were forbidden to know which firm was bidding. Among them was Veolia which attracted many protests because of its connections with Israel. The new contract starts on April 1.

Councillors made the decision based on price and quality but could not release details until a ten-day "standstill" period to allow failed bidders the chance to appeal.

The new contract will include fortnightly doorstep collections of glass for the first time and a return to weekly collections of food waste.

Serco was Bidder 2 and came in with the lowest price of £39,289,911. The most expensive was almost £45.5 million. Decisions on the type and size of wheelie bins or boxes will now take place.

Head of Neighbourhood Services Larissa Laing said:

"All three companies put in very competent bids. We would like to thank the two unsuccessful companies for their interest. This is one of our most high profile contracts providing essential services to residents. The tender process has allowed us to create a high quality service while achieving excellent value for money for taxpayers. We now have a lot of work to do on getting the new waste collection system ready."

Council spokesman Rob Davies said:

"The tender was based on a price to quality ratio of 60 per cent/40 per cent. While we understand the concerns that were raised, we have been clear throughout this process that allegations about Veolia's activities in Palestine could not be a factor in determining who won the contract."

Other contracts still to be awarded include grounds maintenance, public toilets, building maintenance and office cleaning. Serco continues to hold the contract for these until the end of March. But councillors have taken the decision to split them into four smaller contracts from April 1.

Canterbury Times

Vehicle ploughs through stone bollards

They all drive like that in Whitstable...

A car ended up teetering on a sea wall after speeding off of the road and crashing through stone bollards. Stunned witnesses said the green Peugeot smashed through the bollards in Hampton after careering along Swalecliffe Avenue, ending up balanced on the sea wall on Sunday night. Phil Hopkins, whose house overlooks the road, said three youths walked away from the wreckage unhurt. He said:

"I was sitting in my house when I heard an almighty 'whoosh'. My cat jumped out of her basket like something had stung her and I ran to the front door just in time to see this car go flying off the road. Three young lads got out and walked away quite leisurely. They weren't running, although they were walking a bit faster than normal. They went up the verge and disappeared. Moments later the police arrived, then the fire service."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said:

"I saw a car come hammering down, thump off the sea wall and land on the beach with half of it hanging from the sea wall. It had its hazard warning lights on. I thought: 'You won't need them mate!'."

Police confirmed a green Peugeot came off the road on Sunday night. A spokesman said:

"It crashed through stone bollards and came to rest balanced precariously over the sea wall near the Hampton Inn pub. No one was injured."

A 27-year-old man from Whitstable has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Police are appealing for witnesses. Call 01622 690690.

HB Times 30th Jun 2011, Ed Targett