First virtual waste authority is created in Somerset

The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) is a single joint committee of councillors from Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and West Somerset District Councils, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council.  It has been delegated powers in respect of waste collection, recycling, treatment and end disposal across the county of Somerset.

Following a competitive procurement, ECT Group was awarded the contract for waste collection and recycling services, with the aim of improving the current high levels of recycling and composting across the county from just over 47 per cent to near to 60 per cent.

The contract is available for up to 21 years while the annual revenue value of the contract is around £12 million per annum.

Another element of the Somerset Waste Partnership's responsibilities will be with regards to treating residual household waste, which will be managed under an existing strategic partnerhip with Viridor Waste Management.
 
The contract also includes many innovations such as a new state of the art bio-fuel powered vehicle fleet. 

Steve Read, managing director of the SWP said: "The successful formation of the Somerset Waste Board and the letting of a single contract for recycling and waste collection are ground breaking achievements of national significance in this field.  James Snape and colleagues at Nabarro were a key part of our extended project team.  They didn't flinch when we had them working round the clock to meet deadlines."
 
James Snape, Nabarro projects partner, added:
 
"We were delighted to advise on the Somerset Waste Partnership Project, which marks an important cross roads in the management of municipal waste in two tier areas as it is the first virtual waste authority.  It is the culmination of a great deal of work by the 6 authorities and shows that voluntary partnerships in two tier areas can be delivered without central government intervention."