Local authorities up and down the country have been busy securing refuse collection vehicles to help with the delivery of waste and recycling services. With all the changes to how we dispose of – and recycle – our rubbish in the pipeline, it is essential that council fleets are made up of the best vehicles they can get their hands on.
In Devon, Teignbridge District Council has been doing just this. Back in April, the local authority welcomed 12 RCVs as part of the council’s contract hire agreement with its fleet and workshop partner of over 20 years, Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS).
The new trucks are from UK manufacturer Dennis Eagle and comprise a combination of 18t, 22t and 26t vehicles. Fitted with lower emission Euro 6 engines, the fleet features the new Elite+ cab, which offers improved comfort for crews and provides drivers with optimum direct vision along with electric bin lifts from Terberg which reduce noise levels for operatives.
The delivery of these vehicles marks the start of a 56-vehicle replacement programme for the council, which includes kerbside recycling vehicles, sweepers for street cleansing and vans.
Chris Braines, Waste & Cleansing Manager at Teignbridge District Council, said: 'We’re looking forward to putting the new and improved RCVs into service. It’s great to have a tried and tested product to help us deliver crucial frontline services and the technical support from SFS to facilitate a smooth transition.'
The district council and Specialist Fleet Services Ltd have worked together across two decades and the partnership appears to serve both well. Bob Sweetland, Managing Director of SFS, made the point that such partnerships were part and parcel of the way SFS works.
'We have earned a reputation for retaining our customers through a combination of quality, service and efficiency and we are delighted that Teignbridge District Council has chosen us for consecutive contracts over the past 20 years,’ he said. ‘This new fleet will help the council to further improve the efficiency and sustainability of its services to residents.'
Adam Robins, Regional Sales Manager at Dennis Eagle, also welcomed the continued partnership between the local authority and the specialist RCV manufacturer.
'It has been great to work with both Specialist Fleet Services and Teignbridge District Council once again,’ he said. ‘We have a strong working relationship with both the council and SFS, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership.'
Moving north to the other side of Dartmouth National Park and Exeter, North Devon Council has been getting ready to carry out weekly collections across its area by taking delivery of 16 brand new kerbside recycling vehicles.
The trucks, all manufactured by Romaquip, a specialist in the world of refuse collection products, have also been supplied by the council’s vehicle and workshop partner, Specialist Fleet Services. In September 2021, the local authority joined forces with Somerset West and Taunton Council in a procurement exercise and awarded a seven-year contract to SFS for the provision and management of over 200 vehicles.
Romaquip Kerb-Sort vehicles are designed ergonomically to maximise the range and volume of materials that can be collected directly from people’s homes. There are seven fully enclosed compartments to eliminate the risk of litter and to enable every category of material to be stored separately. When safe to do so the vehicle can even be loaded from both sides simultaneously and plastics, cans and cardboard can be automatically compacted to optimise load space.
Cllr Ian Roome, leader of North Devon Council, said the arrival of the new fleet marks ‘a significant step’ in the council’s commitment to sustainability, adding: ‘These vehicles enhance our recycling efforts, ensuring a more efficient and eco-friendly collection process for the benefit of our community and the environment.’
Bob Sweetland also applauded the council’s efforts to improve its approach to recycling: ‘We are pleased to be able to provide North Devon Council with this fleet of vehicles, which will help maximise the amount of recycling that is collected in an efficient and safe way.’
Matt Patanden, UK Sales Manager, Romaquip, added: ‘Romaquip is extremely pleased and grateful for the opportunity to supply the new fleet into North Devon Council through SFS. Both the council and SFS are long standing customers of ours and we appreciate the continued support we receive from both parties. These vehicles, from our 2024 range, will help to future proof collections as they are configured to address the ever-changing recycling habits of residents.’
Leaving Devon, we move to Essex where Epping Forest District Council announced in May a new partnership with SFS. The council awarded SFS an eight-year contract for the provision and maintenance of a new fleet of waste and recycling vehicles, which commences on 4 November 2024.
Earlier this year the local authority announced the plan to cease its arrangement with Biffa and bring its waste and recycling collection service back in-house to be operated by council’s new wholly owned company Terra Verde Services (TVS).
The new 52-vehicle fleet will comprise of 30 26t refuse collection vehicles provided by Dennis Eagle, plus additional support fleet including sweepers, tippers, and vans. The vehicles will be delivered from the beginning of October ahead of the November start date. SFS will have responsibility for the maintenance of the fleet, which will take place at the council’s new environmental operations hub at North Weald Airfield.
Over 100 existing members of staff will be TUPE transferred across to the council to continue in their roles operating the vehicles. SFS will be recruiting additional staff to carry out fleet management and maintenance. The depot will provide storage, maintenance and fuelling for the new fleet, which can run on diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oil, a carbon neutral alternative.
Cllr Ray Balcombe, Contracts, Service Delivery, and Improvement Portfolio Holder at the council said: ‘I am thrilled about our new partnership with SFS and pleased with the progress of Terra Verde Services.’
He continued: ‘Waste collection is a vital service, and it's clear that there have been challenges in the past, which have affected our residents. This partnership offers greater flexibility. Utilizing the SFS fleet is not only more cost-effective but also allows us to adapt the vehicles according to the evolving needs of the service.’
Bob Sweetland added: 'This is the first time we have worked with Epping Forest District Council and we are thrilled to be brought on board at the beginning of this exciting new era for the council’s waste and recycling service provision. We are confident that we are the right partner to keep the council’s fleet running smoothly and efficiently, and we look forward to helping the council deliver sustained improvements to the service.'
This article first appeared in the Summer issue of LAPV. To subscribe for free click here.
