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Biffa Waste Services has secured a huge new contract to continue its streak of street cleaning and bin collecting across the Wirral. According to Birkenhead News, the deal is estimated to be worth £350 million over 16 years.
The contract was awarded for an initial eight years, but the council can extend it for another eight years until 2043. The total worth over 16 years is £348.6m, according to reports.
Many will know Biffa as a Wirral staple, as they have a majority on waste collection and street cleaning and have done for two decades. The current contract ends in just over a year, in August 2027.
The new agreement was approved by the council's policy and resources committee after being referred from the environment, climate emergency and transport committee following two years of scrutiny.
Four companies initially expressed interest in the contract, with the field narrowed to Biffa and one other firm. However, the council was informed the second company had withdrawn from the procurement process, leaving Biffa as the sole remaining bidder.
As part of the agreement, councillors also authorised the council's director of operations to negotiate terms for the council to purchase the Dock Road South depot from Biffa. Once acquired, Biffa will continue operating from the site under a lease arrangement.
Councillor Steve Foulkes praised the deal during the committee meeting, saying: "My belief is that what we've got on the table is excellent. One of the services every single individual receives and judges us on is the refuse contract."
One councillor reportedly asked officers how the contract would be reviewed after eight years when the option to extend it comes. Value for money for the service would be the main factor.
