Council awards new £50 million Environmental Services Contract

Harborough District Council has awarded a new environmental services contract to FCC Recycling UK Ltd to deliver waste collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance services across the Harborough district from 1 April 2027 onwards.

The new contract will bring a range of service enhancements, including weekly food waste collections, enhanced street cleansing and increased resources to tackle fly-tipping.

The contract, valued at approximately £50.5 million over an initial seven-year term, follows an 18-month procurement process undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The exercise was supported by the Welland Procurement Team, specialist consultants WSP and external legal advisers to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive process that delivers value for residents.

The procurement process included market engagement, dialogue sessions with bidders and a detailed evaluation process. Bids were assessed against criteria weighted at 60% quality, 35% price and 5% social value. FCC Recycling UK Ltd achieved the highest overall score.

The contract includes a number of service improvements and enhanced standards, including:

• Increased resources to tackle fly-tipping
• Enhanced street cleansing across the district
• A new weekly food waste collection service
• Enhanced service standards across waste collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance
• A tighter performance management framework to support service quality and accountability
• Investment in modern vehicles and equipment
• Environmental and sustainability initiatives
• Social value commitments that support local communities.

In addition to service improvements, FCC Recycling UK Ltd has committed to delivering a wide range of social value benefits throughout the life of the contract, including:

• Improving community assets and public spaces
• Supporting activities and opportunities for young people
• Creating and enhancing parks, open spaces and pathways
• Site visits and practical work experience opportunities
• Mentoring and apprenticeship pathways
• Nature-based wellbeing initiatives
• Digital inclusion projects
• Increased reuse and sustainability initiatives across the district.

The contract forms part of the council's wider plans to strengthen the long-term delivery of frontline environmental services. Alongside investment in new depot and fleet infrastructure, it is intended to provide continuity, resilience and improved outcomes for residents.

Cllr David Page, Cabinet Lead for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Following a thorough procurement process, we have awarded a contract that delivers value for money and supports the long-term delivery of high-quality environmental services for residents.

“The new contract will deliver improvements across waste collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, while also providing wider community benefits through FCC Recycling UK Ltd’s social value commitments.

“Alongside our investment in depot and fleet infrastructure, the contract will support the long-term delivery of reliable, resilient and effective environmental services.”

Brian Ashby, Head of Municipal Collections and Streetscene at FCC Recycling UK Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Harborough District Council's Environmental Services contract and look forward to working in partnership with the council to deliver high-quality, reliable environmental services that make a positive difference to residents and local communities.”

"Our proposal combines operational excellence with investment in people, vehicles and equipment, alongside initiatives that support sustainability and social value outcomes. We are excited to begin mobilising for the new contract and building a strong, collaborative relationship with the council for many years to come."

FCC Recycling UK Ltd and the council will now begin the mobilisation phase, preparing for the new contract to commence on 1 April 2027.