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Dated 2007

BETWEEN

The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Waltham Forest

and

Verdant Group plc

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CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF WASTE AND RECYCLINGSERVICES IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF WALTHAM FOREST

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Head of LawLondon Borough of Waltham Forest

Town HallForest RoadLondon E17

FINAL

LB WALTHAM FOREST

WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES CONTRACTS

2007 - 2012

SCHEDULE 1

SPECIFICATION

CONTENTS Paragraph No’s. 1. INTRODUCTION 1-181.1 Definitions 11.2 Background 2 -151.3 General Description Of The Services 16 -171.5 Workload And Service information 18

2. GENERAL PROVISIONS 19 - 1052.1 Method Statements 19 - 202.2 Planning and Liaison 21 - 262.3 Potential Service Changes 27 - 282.4 Change Process 29 - 302.5 Quality Management 31 - 332.6 Customer Care 34 - 402.7 Human Resources 41 - 452.8 Vehicles, Plant and Equipment 46 - 562.9 Depot and Yard Facilities 57 - 592.10 Office and Communications Equipment 60 - 652.11 Hours of Operation 66 - 692.12 Public Holidays 70 - 752.13 Inclement Weather 762.14 Mobilisation 77 - 802.15 The Collection Point 81 - 862.16 Unauthorised removal 872.17 Collection Day Notification 88 - 892.18 New Properties. 90 - 932.19 Access Difficulties 94 - 982.20 Performance Monitoring and Reporting 99 - 105 3. REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES 106 - 1483.1 General Understanding of the Service 1063.2 Type of waste to be collected 107 - 1113.3 Collection of household waste from domestic

properties.112 –120

3.4 The Receptacle 121– 1233.5 Collection of Waste Using Bulk Bins. 124– 1273.6 Special Collection Service for Bulky Items 128– 1353.7 The Delivery of Refuse Sacks, Receptacles

and Leaflets136 –138

3.8 Commercial Waste 139– 1403.9 Collection of waste from community Halls 1413.10 Receipt of waste at temporary locations 1423.11 Clinical waste collection 1433.12 Waste Disposal 144 - 148

4. RECYCLING & COMPOSTING SERVICES 149 - 1894.1 General understanding and extent of services 149 - 154

4.2 Type of material to be collected 1554.3 Collection of dry recyclables from domestic

premises156 - 161

4.4 Servicing of Bring Sites – Paper Banks 162 - 1664.5 Garden and Kitchen Waste Scheme 167 - 1694.6 Bulking of collected materials 170 - 1714.7 Delivery of Dry Recyclables to outlets 172 - 1764.8 Contamination 177 - 1794.9 Service Development 180 - 1814.10 Marketing & Publicity 182 - 1854.11 Existing Recycling Contracts 1864.12 Recycling Credits 187 - 1894.13 Ownership of Recyclate 1904.14 Management of the Low Hall and Kings Road

CA sites191-203

APPENDICES1 Borough map (to be sent recorded delivery on

13th October 2006)Hard Copy

2 Map of rounds, estates and bring and CA sites(to be sent recorded delivery on 13th October 2006)

Hard Copy

3 Refuse Collection Beats & Frequencies Electronic4 Council-owned vehicles (Deleted - See

Schedule 7 to Contract)Electronic

5 List of commercial waste agreements Electronic6 Depot plan

(Deleted – See Plan at Schedule 5 to Contract)

Hard Copy

7 ICT protocol Electronic8 Mobile Tip Details Electronic9 Layouts of the two CA sites

(to be sent recorded delivery on 13th October 2006)

Hard Copy

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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS 1. In this Specification the following words have the following meanings

unless the context indicates otherwise:

Bring site is a location within the Waltham Forest borough where one or more receptacles for recyclables is permanently sited.

The Council means the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Front of Curtilage is defined as the place where the property boundary meets the highway or main access road. For the purposes of this contract, refuse or recyclable material placed within 2 metres of the front curtilage and clearly visible from the highway or main access road shall be deemed to have been presented at the front curtilage of the property.

Front line vehicle is a vehicle used for one or more of the weekly household refuse, kerbside recycling or Saturday static collections.

Garden Waste is defined as green garden waste such as tree, hedge and shrub prunings, lawn clippings, weeds and other vegetation arising from within the curtilage of domestic premises.

Household refuse or household waste means residual waste which is generated by the household and which has not been sorted for recycling or composting.

Interface is any communication link, usually electronic, that connects two systems, complying with any protocols of both sender and recipient.

Kitchen Waste is defined as that organic waste that arises from food consumption and is stored in a kitchen caddy and collected with garden waste in a specific container

Missed collection occurs when a scheduled collection is missed.

Mixed papers/paper mean/s newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone directories, catalogues and other waste paper and includes cardboard and yellow page directories.

Normal office hours means 8.00 to 17.00 Mondays to Thursdays and 8.00 to16.30 on Fridays.

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Parameters, parameter driven, parameterised are terms used to describe the setting of parameters that are ranges or limits for activities, standards or actions where the scope of the parameters can be reviewed and/or changed by the parties to the Contract.

Refuse In this contract, the word refuse, where used, has the same meaning as waste

Residual Waste is that waste remaining after all recyclables, garden and kitchen waste has been presented for separate collection

The Service/services means the services specified or described in the specification and any modifications thereof made in accordance with the Contract.

Trade Waste This term when used in this contract is interchangeable with Commercial Waste

Working Day is for the purposes of this Contract any day, Mondays to Saturdays including all Bank and Public Holidays with the exception of Christmas Day.

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1.2 BACKGROUND

2. As part of Best Value and to provide continuing high quality waste collection, recycling and composting services the Council has reviewed the way in which it addresses the needs of the community and the requirements of relevant legislation.

3. Best Value legislation requires the Council to consider its strategy for service

delivery and to carry out regular reviews, covering each service area within a five year programme cycle. As part of this process the Council undertook a Best Value Review of its Street Services, including waste management. This has included consultation with customers and stakeholders about a range of waste management issues, including their views on the options for providing waste, recycling and composting services over the next five to seven years.

4. As part of the consultation process for this Contract, the Council, who is ‘the

collection authority’ has consulted with North London Waste Authority (NLWA) ‘the disposal authority’ and the Mayor for London, who has powers of direction under the Greater London Act 1999 and has produced the London Municipal Waste Management Strategy (MWMS), about a range of waste management matters and in particular the strategic direction of services throughout the capital. As a consequence, and in support of the MWMS, the Council intends to work with other authorities in London to consider and where appropriate integrate the collection, recycling, composting and disposal operations during this proposed contract term and in the future.

5. A further outcome of the review has been the Council's decision to seek to develop a partnership approach to the proposed contract to achieve more effective and responsive services and better value for money. Specifically, the Council is seeking a Service Provider that will adopt an innovative approach to service provision whilst at the same time, work towards the Council's corporate and service goals and objectives.

6. The tender process is designed to promote innovative proposals for the service

provision and for the Service Provider to be flexible in the organisation and management of the services. A defined review and change process will enable the Council and Service Provider to jointly develop improvements and incorporate revisions when necessary, to the service, operational and financial benefit of the parties.

7. To provide the framework for the required service provision the contract

documents set out the description of the service requirements against a background of the Council's corporate objectives and the results of the Council’s Best Value Review and approved Improvement Programme. Relevant documents are available on request.

8. The Council has developed a waste management strategy, which sets out how the

Council intends to meet its statutory responsibilities and in particular meet its statutory and local recycling and composting targets. The development of a new partnership for waste management and a fresh approach to service provisions

determined by this tendering process will contribute significantly to the Council's strategy. It is therefore incumbent upon the Council's Service Provider to fully participate in this aspect of the Council's strategic development work.

9. Service ObjectivesThe Council has developed and approved key waste management objectives that will be pursued actively; these are:

To collect refuse and recyclables in a clean and efficient manner from

individual households and other locations; To minimise the amount of waste requiring collection and treatment by

publicity, education and management;

To reduce the quantity of residual waste for treatment and final disposal, by maintaining, enhancing and expanding current recycling and recovery

arrangements, working in partnership with all interested agencies;

To work with NLWA, other constituent boroughs and all other stakeholders and industry to pursue common objectives and develop sustainable, effective and environmentally acceptable collection and disposal methods;

To oversee the new waste management contract to ensure compliance and to monitor performance and expenditure;

To review the waste management arrangements with the Service Provider and other agencies to achieve improvements and higher efficiency; and

To work closely with the community in service delivery.

10. The Authorised Officer is responsible for ensuring that these service objectives are

met. This responsibility will involve taking the lead in providing a co-coordinated overview across the authority of all waste matters including collection, disposal, minimisation, recycling, providing waste management advice to Council Departments, householders and businesses, and arranging for the disposal of all waste collected by the waste collection Service Providers.

11. These contract documents include a suitable framework for the provision of

services that the Council's customers want and which complement other corporate and environmental requirements. Tenderers must develop their submissions on the basis of a complete commitment to the above service objectives.

12. Further details about these and other Council corporate policies can be supplied

on request. 13. The Head of Street Services has been specifically designated the Authorised

Officer for the purposes of this contract and has been delegated the task of implementing key policies through the provision of waste and other environmental

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services. It is also the Head of Street Service’s role to use the principles and practice of best value as a framework to develop and manage Council services, in an efficient and effective manner and to enable services to be provided in the way that the community would wish them to be provided. Accordingly this specification seeks the assistance of the Service Provider in the implementation of best value to secure continuous improvement in economy, efficiency and effectiveness over the life of the Contract, including regular consultation with service users and community groups. The Service Provider will co-operate with the Council in service reviews, performance information and implementation of improvements. The specification details the service requirements and relates these to the achievement of best value. It is intended to guide Tenderers with regard to the Council's expectations for the Service Provider's contribution towards the implementation of the best value principles. This must be respected but is not intended to inhibit Tenderers from fully expressing their ability and proposals to bring innovative solutions to the provision of these waste management services.

14. In preparing their submission Tenderers should be aware that the total budget for

the provision of waste, recycling and composting services for the financial year 2006/7 is approximately £6m gross expenditure, with income of £1.2m to offset this.

15. The budget is the total sum and includes the Council's contract management

and administration costs, corporate support and civic accommodation. 1.3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICES 16. The work covered by this specification is the current service offer as set out in

outline below. Elsewhere there is a description of the Council’s objectives within the duration of this contract and subsequently. It is expected that the Service Provider will deliver the current service from the Commencement Date and work with the Council to introduce agreed change, based on the tendered proposals, framework and prices, so that these objectives are achieved:

Weekly household residual waste collection service from all residential

premises including any newly occupied premises built and/or newly occupied during the contract period and the transport and deposit of the waste collected to the disposal point;

Bulky household waste collection service (separate ‘white goods’) on request

and deposit of the bulky waste to the disposal or delivery point as directed by the Authorised Officer;

Weekly separation and collection of dry recyclables from residential

properties and delivery of material to approved reprocessors or merchants;

Fortnightly collection of garden and kitchen waste from 36,000 residential properties in the north of the Borough and delivery of collected material to approved treatment facility;

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The provision of waste and recycling collection services to commercial properties including the market who request such services from the Council;

The management of bring sites and collection of recyclables from same and delivery of materials to approved reprocessors or treatment facilities;

The management, operation and development of two Council Civic Amenity (CA) sites at South Access Road and Kings Road;

The provision of all labour and vehicles for the provision of the Council’s BeatSweep Programme carried out on a monthly basis within various locations across the Borough.

The provision of all labour, vehicles and plant as requested by the Authorised Officer for dealing with civil emergencies or other such matters. The Authorised Officer will not call upon the Service Provider's staff for civil emergencies unless absolutely necessary and will not require personnel to carry out tasks needing specialist training or for which they may not be suited.

These services are described in detail later in this specification. All references to residential properties include flatted and other communal blocks as well as individual dwellings.

17. It is appreciated that without detailed knowledge of the locality Tenderer’s proposals

may be imprecise and will need to be subject to some considerable review. However, all Tenderers must provide as full a description of their proposals as possible in order to allow the Council to assess the various merits of the submissions during tender evaluation. The evaluation process will lead to the Council selecting a preferred Tenderer. Once a preferred Service Provider has been selected, a process of clarification will provide the opportunity for the Council and its Service Provider to clarify the detailed working arrangements.

1.5 WORKLOAD AND SERVICE INFORMATION 18. Information on workload and service statistics is given in the appendices to this

contract. These are based on the Council's historical records and are given for guidance and in good faith. The accuracy and relevance of the information is not guaranteed, and the Tenderer shall satisfy itself as to the total workload and work content required to be performed within the contract.

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2. GENERAL PROVISIONS 2.1 METHOD STATEMENTS 19. Without limiting any requirement in the Contract or this Specification, the Service

Provider is required to comply with the Method Statements listed below, as provided by the Service Provider and amended and approved by the Council. Once approved by the Council, the Method Statements shall not be amended without the Council’s prior written approval. Each Method Statement or separately described component, shall be limited to two sides of A4 paper and shall include full details of the processes, resources and systems to be utilised. Any required or desirable interfaces, liaison and monitoring set out elsewhere in these documents must also be described and explanation given of how these will be achieved.

20. The Service Provider shall ensure that the Method Statements demonstrate how

they will achieve and maintain the standards and performance specified. The Method Statements are intended to provide the basic methodology and reassure the Council that the Service Provider fully understands both the current service requirements and the required developments and is capable of organising and delivering them. In the event of any conflict between a Method Statement and the Contract (which includes this Specification), the Contract shall prevail. The relevant Method Statements are referenced as appropriate in the later sections of the Specification. All should be submitted whether or not they are referred to or not. They are:

1 Mobilisation and overall project programmes2 Staffing, recruitment and training3 Specification, testing and operation of proposed vehicles, plant and

system(s) 4 Provision of a residual waste collection service5 Provision of bulky and other special waste collections6 Supply and delivery of waste receptacles and refuse sacks and associated

publicity7 Provision for the kerbside collection and sorting of dry recyclables8 Provision of a service to manage recycling bring sites9 Provision of a garden and kitchen waste collection service10. Management and operation of the two CA sites 11 Service development and continuous imporvement to achieve targets12 Customer Care13 Proposed change process. 14 Monitoring, performance and reporting15. Risk management, business continuity & disaster recovery16. Provision and location of operational base17. Environmental policy and sustainability action plan18 Marketing of dry recyclabes and organic waste19. Management of nominated sub-contractors

2.2 PLANNING AND LIAISON

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21. Planning and liaison will be critical aspects of the service at the commencement of the Contract and throughout its life. The Service Provider shall be responsible for all planning and liaison and for conducting implementation and testing programmes.

22. The Service Provider shall prior to the commencement date of the Contract develop and submit to the Council a Business Plan that will be reviewed regularly

at the meetings between the Council and Service Provider and updated annually. The Business Plan shall follow good practice and include as a minimum, but not exclusively:

Objectives Resources Performance and quality management Business continuity & disaster recovery Budget Initiatives Improvements Customer satisfaction

23. It is anticipated that the Business Plan will provide a primary means of co-

ordination, review and improvement of the Services provided; including achieving targets, continuous improvement and contributing to the government’s Gershon savings.

24. The Council will agree with the successful Tenderer the content of the initial

Business Plan prior to the commencement of the Contract.

25. All data, correspondence and other materials associated with the Contract will be transferred at no cost to the Authorised Officer at the end of the Contract.

26. A summary report of the number and status of all issues and outstanding service

requests and complaints as at the termination date of the Contract will be supplied to the Council within one week of the termination date. The Council will then direct the Service Provider on any matters considered to remain its responsibility to resolve/complete and those on which the Service Provider should cease action.

2.3 POTENTIAL SERVICE CHANGES 27. Examples of aspects that may change the services are listed below:

Waste creation events that are foreseeable;

Any events that are foreseeable that constrain waste collection;

Changes to the built environment that lead to temporary or permanent service alterations;

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Changes in demand or constraints on collection, including new premises;

Road works or construction works;

Changes in waste management technology;

Changes to legislation or guidance from central or London Government or the Environment Agency, particularly involving the respective waste strategies;

Changes to the boundaries and constitutions of local authorities;

The development and growth in the Council's recycling operations and services, and waste minimisation promotion;

Emergency operations, which result in use of vehicles and operatives for

other duties;

Changes through negotiation with the Service Provider that have been developed as a result of the implementation of the Council's best value regime and the consequential demand of the contract for continuous improvements;

Separating or adding recyclable materials for collection and transport. 28. The Council and the Service Provider shall plan ahead as far as is practicable for

such changes. In particular, emergency plans and procedures shall be put in place to respond to possible difficulties in service delivery and to minimise service disruption as a result of the above potential for service changes.

2.4 CHANGE PROCESS 29. The Council as part of its Best Value and business objectives is continuously

seeking improvement to its services. In addition, achievement of the Council’s waste management strategy will require planned change in service provision. Therefore the Service Provider is expected to identify, propose and implement agreed changes that achieve this objective. Additionally, the Council itself may wish to change the Services for legislative, efficiency, improvement or policy grounds. As part of their submission, Tenderers should propose a change process for documenting these changes, their impact, risk, potential cost and implementation. The process will be consistent with the proposals and actions in the business plan including how efficiency improvements will be achieved. This process will then be discussed and agreed as amended, with the successful Tenderer. It will then be followed for each and every change considered.

30. All change must be planned and publicised fully as appropriate with service users

and other interested parties. Proposals for change will be subject to discussion and negotiation between the Service Provider and the Authorised Officer.

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Method statement – 13 Change Process The Tenderer should submit a method statement setting out a change

process which would be applicable to identifying, agreeing and implementing change, whether in direct service, systems or support. The change may be driven by improvement, efficiency, policy or legislation.

2.5 QUALITY MANAGEMENT31. The Council through this contract seeks to provide a high quality, reliable service,

which is responsive to the needs of the borough and its residents. 32. The Service Provider shall operate and maintain a quality management system,

which as a minimum will be ISO 9000 accredited or provide similar levels of control and monitoring.

33. The Service Provider shall as an integral part of its method statements detail how it proposes to provide the quality of service required by the Council.

2.6 CUSTOMER CARE 34. Customer satisfaction is fundamental to the performance of the Contract. The

Service Provider shall actively seek service standards that minimise complaints resolve them promptly and co-operatively and undertake to deliver continuous improvement in respect of complaints management.

35. Both the Council and its Service Provider will be committed to work together to improve the quality standards of the services provided. Minimum standards that shall form the basis of the service quality are indicated below:

Completion of all routine and ad hoc tasks on the correct day and within time;

Prompt and effective response to requests for service, enquiries and requests for information concerning the services;

Conformity with standards of safety, courtesy and other hallmarks of good public service;

Prompt, effective response to all complaints and notifications of service failure, including site visits by the Service Provider's employees when necessary to verify information and provide high levels of customer care and written responses to persons affected. In the case of Stage One Complains these must be acknowledged in 5 days and fully responded to with 28 days. All letters from the public and Members must be fully responded to within 10 days. In case of doubt, discretion shall be used to the benefit of the complainant, unless otherwise agreed by the Authorised Officer;

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A determination that customers will never have to repeat complaints within one year;

36. A key requirement of the Contract is the proper, polite, efficient handling of all contacts with the public and third parties. The Service Provider must meet all the specific requirements relating to dealings with the public but must also maintain an overall commitment via recruitment, training and management to achieve the highest standards of customer care.

37. Operatives are to ensure that the collections are carried out as quietly as possible.

The operative will take reasonable care of private property and treat private premises with respect. Operatives will use the recognised access to properties. Short cuts over private land are not permitted.

38. Failure to collect refuse or recyclables presented at the front of curtilage on the designated day and at regular times is the most common service failure and at the same time creates a high level of customer dissatisfaction, leads to increased administration by the Council and Service Provider and threatens the support and participation of the community in recycling. Therefore the Council expects the Service Provider to organise, manage and operate the collection services so that scheduled collections are adhered to and where there is a service failure it is rectified promptly and within the specified timescale.

39. The Service Provider will be required to take a full role as a front-line service on behalf of the Council. This will include consultation with customers about the way services are provided and how services could be improved.

40. The Service Provider shall seek to resolve all complaints, requests for service and enquiries, to the highest standards of customer care and without the involvement of the Authorised Officer. The Service Provider and Authorised Officer shall agree a protocol for involvement of the Authorised Officer in complaints, requests for service and inquiries and the monitoring thereof where it is considered necessary for customer care purposes, such as the following:

Where the person involved is dissatisfied with the response received from the Service Provider and wishes to take their complaint further; and

Where a complaint concerns a matter of Council policy.

Method Statement – 12 Customer Care

The Tenderer shall set out its approach to customer care and quality management detailing its policies and processes for addressing service enquiries, requests and complaints promptly and fairly; and systems and procedures for recording, maintaining and improving defined quality standards.

2.7 HUMAN RESOURCES

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41. On the award of the Contract, the Service Provider shall in accordance with Condition 7.1 propose for the Council’s approval a Contract Manager who will be directly responsible for the mobilisation of the Service and its subsequent operation for the duration of the Contract. The Council may require the removal and replacement of the Contract Manager, or any other member of the Service Provider’s personnel, from the contract. No reason need be given, but this power shall not be unreasonably exercised.

42. The Service Provider shall ensure that there are sufficient operatives that are

suitably qualified, experienced and trained to undertake the work at all times. The Service Provider shall also ensure that there are sufficient spare resources to cover for planned and unplanned absences and for emergencies that may arise from time to time.

43. The Service Provider shall ensure that at all times there are sufficient line

managers, supervisors and technical support staff that are suitably qualified and experienced to manage the execution of the contract. Sufficient spare staff to cover for absences must also be provided.

44. The Service Provider shall ensure that there are sufficient administrative support

personnel that are suitably qualified and experienced, to support the execution of the contract. Sufficient spare staff to cover for absences must also be provided.

45. For the purposes of providing a basis for continuous improvement and in line with

best value principles the Service Provider shall ensure that all staff and operatives are permanent, wherever possible, and are provided with relevant guidance and training for personal development and improvements to the management and execution of the Contract. The Council will be given access to personnel records such that they can be satisfied that deployment and resources meet the service and contract requirements.

Method Statements – 2 Staffing, Recruitment & Training

Tenderers should include within method statement 2, the number and deployment of staff and operatives and summaries of their recruitment and training policies and procedures together with their staff management and development approach. Tenderers must indicate which staff will be permanently located at premises within the Borough.

2.8 VEHICLES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 46. The current Service Providers use a mixture of vehicles, plant and equipment, some

are supplied and maintained by themselves, some are owned, operated and maintained by the Council. In pursuit of efficiency and value for money for the undertaking of the services in this contract, the Council in accordance with Condition 8, is seeking a service that includes the provision and maintenance of all vehicles, plant and equipment by the Service Provider. Details of all vehicles, plant and equipment are included in Appendix 4. All Council owned vehicles used on the Service will be offered to the Service Provider without charge, as set out in Appendix 4. Tenderers must indicate in their proposals how this fleet is to be

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deployed and which vehicles will become surplus to this Contract. The Service Provider must describe how they will maintain maximum flexibility whilst still using the most appropriate vehicles for the tasks concerned.

47. All vehicles used on the contract shall be fitted with real-time communication and

tracking systems and these shall be used to ensure effective use of resources, prompt response to service requests and complaints and enable comprehensive management information on utilization to be collected and presented.

48. All vehicles purchased for use on this Contract shall be as ‘environmentally friendly’

as practicable and as a minimum meet the Euro 4 standard for exhaust emissions and be capable of retro-fitting with new technology developed to reduce or clean emissions further. All other vehicles used on the Contract will be to, or as close as practicable to, this specification. The cleanest fuels shall always be used in all vehicles.

49. All vehicles utilised as front line vehicles shall not be older than seven years. unless

their use has been expressly permitted in writing by the Authorised Officer. Prior to the Council giving such agreement, the Service Provider will be required to submit an independent assessment on each such vehicle and this process will need to be repeated annually. Furthermore, it will be the Service Provider's responsibility to ensure that at all times there are sufficient front line and spare vehicles to undertake the contract in the manner set out in the various Method Statements.

50. All compaction collection vehicles must conform to the requirements of the

Health and Safety Executive's Guidance Note "Plant and Machinery Series 52" (October 1985) entitled "Safety in the use of Refuse Compaction Vehicles", and/or any future amending guidance.

51. All vehicles used for the performance of this contract shall be equipped with a First

Aid Kit and a Fire Extinguisher.

52. Each day, before any vehicle is used, and on completion of use, or if taking over another vehicle during the day, drivers must complete a vehicle inspection to satisfy themselves that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition and meets the terms of the Contract.

53. If leased vehicles are transferred by the Council still subject to a leasing agreement,

the Service Provider must operate any leased vehicles in strict accordance with the terms of the leasing agreement for the full period of the remaining lease. The Service Provider shall pay to the Council any additional costs levied by the leasing company, if the Service Provider fails to maintain the vehicles in accordance with the terms of the lease.

54. The Council places a high importance on visual appearance and all vehicles must

be maintained to a high standard of cleanliness. Any vehicle considered to be in such a condition as a result of accumulated dirt, stains, rust, damage or other cause of deterioration shall be removed from service within forty-eight hours of notification until such a time as the defects are rectified or the vehicle replaced. There shall be no loss of or deterioration in service from such a withdrawal.

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55. The Service Provider is expected to maintain appropriate numbers of substitute vehicles, however where unavoidable, the use of hire vehicles as temporary replacements will be permitted, providing the Council has been pre-notified in writing. A notice must be clearly displayed on the vehicles, stating the vehicles are working as a temporary replacement, and including the agreed corporate logo and wording.

56. All vehicles operated by the Service Provider as part of this Contract must be in a

consistent and agreed livery and display only such logos, advertising or wording as may be required or agreed by the Council. The display of any logos, advertising or wording must be on a flat surface and easily read by the public. All vehicles are to display in the drivers cab an agreed plate identifying a description of the load being carried, eg Trade Waste, Dry Recyclables etc. The Service Provider is to allow for this in their vehicle specification and vehicle rates.

Method Statement – 3 Proposed Vehicles

Tenderers shall set out a detailed profile of its proposed fleet. The profile will indicate the manufacturer and age of each vehicle, chassis type, capacity and any lifting equipment that would be a basic requirement. Further details in respect of vehicle maintenance and arrangements or breakdown cover should also be included as should arrangements for vehicle washing. Tenderers should also indicate how this proposal would accommodate anticipated or proposed service changes, minimising cost and inefficiency and maximising flexibility.

2.9 DEPOT AND YARD FACILITIES 57. The Service Provider shall propose suitable and sufficient depot, storage and mess

facilities from which all vehicles, plant, materials and services can be operated. The Service Provider proposals may include alternatives regarding provision, ownership and facilities. A designated part of Council owned and operated facilities at Low Hall Depot, Argall Avenue, E10, will be made available to Tenderers under licence at “peppercorn” rent, license terms will be negotiated with the successful tenderer. on commercial terms as set out in Appendix 3. The allocation will include mess and office accommodation, together with sufficient parking space for the proposed vehicle fleet. All HGVS other than those serving Walthamstow town center, must access the depot via Lea Bridge Road under a planning condition.

58. Any depot facility used by the Service Provider must comply with all planning/waste management licensing requirements where necessary and be operated to comply with all Health & Safety, ‘O’ licence and all other legislative requirements.

59. The depot facility shall as a basic minimum have a hard standing throughout the

operating area, adequate drainage and secure storage for sacks, domestic and commercial bins (all sizes), recycling boxes, leaflets and recycling banks.

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2.10 OFFICE AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 60. The Service Provider shall propose suitable and sufficient office accommodation

and supply and maintain in good working order good quality office furniture and office supplies for the undertaking of the administrative and support functions associated with the Contract.

61. The Service Provider shall maintain at their Depot and other facilities computers, fax machines, and telephone systems for the purposes of verbal, text or data communications. They shall be designed to promote high standards of customer care and customer satisfaction, and there shall be sufficient telephone lines and Service Provider employees to answer calls within 15 seconds (5 rings) in line with the Council’s target for dealing with telephone calls, so that callers do not frequently obtain the engaged tone. All systems used shall be compatible with those used by the Council (primarily the SAP suite of financial and CRM software) and at all times be linked electronically so that service requests, management and other information can be exchanged in real time where necessary and by batch transfer in other cases. An ICT protocol is included as Appendix 7 and compliance with this is mandatory.

62. The Service Provider shall provide a telephone contact facility linked to the council’s own contact centre for receiving complaints, requests for service and inquiries. The facility shall be staffed between 08.30 hours and 19.00 hours Mondays to Fridays inclusive and additionally at any other time when the Service Provider is engaged in performance of the services. At all other times an answerphone service shall be in operation.

63. The use of answerphone facilities will not be permitted between 08.30 hours and

19.00 hours Mondays to Fridays or additionally at any other time when the Service Provider is engaged in performance of the Services.

64. All incoming calls will be logged/recorded, promptly answered by the Service

Provider employees who shall be trained in customer care and have sufficient knowledge of the Service Provider's programme to promote customer satisfaction. Call records shall be maintained for a month after receipt of call.

65. The Service Provider shall make suitable arrangements to receive at all times, calls

and instructions from the Authorised Officer. These arrangements shall include making available appropriate office and mobile telephone numbers for all appropriate Service Provider employees.

2.11 HOURS OF OPERATION 66. The Service Provider shall generally perform and complete the Services during

Monday to Friday inclusive between 06.00 hours and 19.00 hours. Saturdays from 07.00 to 13.00 may be utilised for missed collections from the preceding Friday and for clear up after Christmas Day.

67. The Council will consider proposals for extending these hours and for Saturday

working where these are demonstrated to use resources more effectively, offer

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financial savings that will be shared and are acceptable to service users and the general public. If any such proposal is agreed, that agreement is subject to the Service Provider obtaining and maintaining any required permissions, licences or amendments to same.

68. The Service Provider shall be responsible for ensuring that all services required

are carried out with due regard to the opening hours of the Waste Disposal and other reception and treatment facilities.

69. In extreme circumstances temporary working shall be permissible outside the above hours but only with the Authorised Officer’s consent.

2.12 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 70. It is the Council's policy to minimise the effect that public holidays have on the

provision of the services to its customers. All scheduled rounds for residual, dry recyclables or organic waste will be maintained Monday to Friday throughout the year with the exception of Christmas Day. The Service Provider shall bear any additional expenses incurred in the performance of Services provided on or affected by Public Holidays.

71. The Service Provider will be expected to make special arrangements to ensure that

collections are maintained over the Christmas and New Year period and each year will produce for approval by the Authorised Officer a plan before the end of September detailing the arrangements. The Service Provider will be responsible for preparing for approval and distributing relevant publicity material detailing the arrangements. The proposals shall take account of the availability of disposal and material outlets during this period.

72. NOT ALLOCATED. 73. NOT ALLOCATED 74. Where changes occur in collection times and/or days due to Christmas or other

events, the Service Provider shall publish those changes and the details of them by: -

1. Placing a press notice in such newspapers as circulate in the borough, and as may be specified by the Authorised Officer, (in the first two weeks of December each year for Christmas);

2. Delivering a leaflet (which will be produced by the Council) to each household at

least twice a year at equal intervals; and by 3. Notifying all community groups indicated by the Authorised Officer in the

Borough in writing.

75. The leaflet referred to above may also include other information relating to the

Council’s Waste Management Services.

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2.13 INCLEMENT WEATHER 76. The Authorised Officer may agree to suspend the normal service if the weather on

any particular day or part of a day is so inclement as to make work impracticable. The Service Provider will however, be required to make alternative and emergency arrangements for the resumption of services as soon as possible and within the same working week where practicable to those properties omitted from the collection rounds as a result of the inclement weather. No additional payments will be made to the Service Provider in respect of any additional expenses he may incur in complying with this requirement. An emergency telephone number will be provided by the Council to enable the Service Provider to contact the Authorised officer outside of normal working hours. During any periods of service suspension the Service Provider’s drivers and loaders may be required for alternative duties such as gritting or snow clearance at the direction of the Authorised Officer.

2.14 MOBILISATION 77. The Service Provider shall prepare a detailed mobilisation programme which shall

include all necessary actions set against a timescale to ensure seamless changeover. This programme shall be submitted to the Authorised Officer for comment and approval within two weeks of the Contract Award. A similar programme will be required to detail mobilisation of any other major service change agreed with the Authorised Officer.

78. As changes or improvements to the mobilisation programme that the Service Provider has produced may need to be made following discussions with the Council, the development of the programme must allow for additional resources during an initial settling-in period. These additional resources must be clearly indicated in the programme.

79. All costs involved in preparing and publicising such programmes shall be met by the

Service Provider. Written details of all publicity proposals shall include the letters/leaflet format and be agreed with Authorised Officer before use.

80. Variations to the approved programme shall be subject to the agreement of the

Authorised Officer and reasonable notice must be given to the Authorised Officer of the Service Provider's view of the need to vary the programme.

Method Statement – 1 Mobilisation and Project Programme

The Council regards mobilisation as a very important issue. It is essential that there is no break in the continuity or quality of the Service during any change in Service Provider. Consequently Tenderers should submit detailed proposals for mobilisation that describe all resources to be utilised, managerial responsibilities and a timetable of key milestones and actions that will demonstrate their experience and ability to commence the new contract without service interruption or loss of standards.

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2.15 THE COLLECTION POINT 81. The collection point for residual waste, dry recyclables and garden/kitchen waste

shall be immediately inside the front of curtilage unless the Authorised Officer is of the opinion that practicalities dictate otherwise and advises the Service Provider accordingly.

82. Where communal/bulk bins are provided, the Authorised Officer shall agree a

communal collection point. 83. In the case of flats where there are no communal facilities, the collection point

shall be as advised by the Authorised Officer.

84. Exemptions to the above collection points (of which there are currently approximately 2000) are where the Council offers assisted collections on the basis of the Householder being infirm or disabled. A list shall be provided to the Service Provider detailing where special arrangements need to be made. The Authorised Officer shall inform the Service Provider of any additions, deletions or changes and they shall immediately abide by these additions, deletions or changes free of charge. The Service Provider shall bring the refuse out from the rear of the property or any other places as the Authorised Officer may decide.

85. Tenderers should note that the Council currently offers assisted collections for all

categories of waste and recyclable collections.

86. Collections shall be carried out at the regular collection times and the service maintained irrespective of site conditions such as handling, mode of storage, access and egress, length of carry or any other problems or constraints.

2.16 UNAUTHORISED REMOVAL 87. The Service Provider shall be liable for any claims for the unauthorised and/or

accidental removal of articles not intended by the householder for collection. 2.17 COLLECTION DAY NOTIFICATION 88. The Service Provider shall consult with and subsequently obtain, giving not less

than a month’s notice, the written consent of the Council for any changes to the scheduled collection prior to the expected date of implementation.

89. Where any change to the day of collection is programmed for whatever reason, the

Service Provider shall notify all affected householders in writing of the new day/s of collection. This shall be done at least three weeks prior to the date of implementation. The cost of production and distribution shall be included in the tender price. The text of any literature to be given to householders shall be approved by the Authorised Officer before distribution.

2.18 NEW PROPERTIES

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90. The number of households requiring household refuse and/or recycling collections

at the start of the Contract will be all those within the area of the Council. The council records indicate that the number of households at 1 April 2006 was 94,200. A map outlining the borough is shown at Appendix 1. To meet the requirements of the Local Plan, additional properties will need to be built between 2007 and 2012.

91. The Service Provider will be expected to accommodate new properties within their Service for no additional payment as part of their programme of continuous improvements. This contribution will be recognised by the Council when monitoring performance and achievement of objectives.

92. NOT ALLOCATED.

93. The Service Provider will be responsible for collections from all new domestic

premises as soon as they are occupied and a request for collection has been received. The Service Provider’s attention is drawn to the fact that in some instances the roads to new properties may still be private and owned by the developer or frontagers. The Service Provider will need to allow for the collection from these properties by either carrying the bags out or coming to an arrangement with the developer to allow their vehicles to use the road.

2.19 ACCESS DIFFICULTIES 94. Access difficulties can be a problem with many properties in the Borough. Either it is

always or sometimes not possible to position the collection vehicle as close to the properties as may be desirable or the access to bulk bins or receptacles is difficult or obstructed. The Service Provider shall use its best endeavour to collect residual and garden waste and recyclables where there are such conditions. Subject to any H&S obligations, waste/recycling collections shall be carried out irrespective of the length of carry, site conditions, handling problems, type of storage, access or any other constraint.

95. In the event of access problems the Service Provider will be expected to make

repeat calls during the programmed day of collection until access can be gained. Alternatively, the Service Provider shall wheel the bulk bins or carry refuse sacks from the collection point to the nearest practical point where the refuse collection vehicle can be safely positioned.

96. There are certain parts of the Borough where narrow roads and other

constraints make access for certain types of refuse freighters difficult or impossible. The Service Provider shall include within their method statement proposals for round patterns and type of vehicles to overcome this constraint.

97. The Borough includes several areas where access is difficult or obstructed and

these areas suffer from damage where commercial vehicles have mounted kerbs, pavements and grass verges, and even caused damage to street furniture and lighting columns. The Service Provider shall show in the method statement on vehicles how the Service Provider's fleet will be designed and used to allow access

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to difficult and obstructed areas without causing such damage. Any damage by Service Provider's vehicles during the performance of the services must be repaired at the Service Provider's expense.

98. The Council reserves the right to insist that a smaller collection vehicle is used

where access problems have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Authorised Officer.

2.20 PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING

99. In accordance with Condition 6 of the Contract, the Service Provider and the Council shall meet regularly to discuss performance. The structure and processes contained within the agreed method statement shall form the basis of performance management and the meetings agenda.

100. The Service Provider will collect and record in an agreed format all data required to monitor and report on service performance in respect of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI), other standards and matters and at the frequency agreed. In addition the Council will carry out random sampling and testing to reassure itself that the reported performance is accurate. The format proposed by the service Provider for approval by the Council should recognise the partnership approach, be simple and transparent and be easily capable of audit by internal or external bodies.

101. At the four-weekly meetings operational issues and regular monitoring data will be reviewed. At the quarterly meetings the Service Provider shall submit a comprehensive report that summarises the activity during the previous quarter and reviews the Service. This report will draw together the information already prepared as above for the four-weekly meetings, the agreed service as amended and any exception items. The purpose of these meetings is to provide a more strategic review of progress on the business plan and future requirements than is allowed for in the regular meetings.

102. Where a missed collection or complaint of the same or similar nature occurs at, or

in respect of the same location or address on two or more occasions within any eight week period the Service Provider in addition to the immediate rectification of the complaint shall prepare a detailed report of its proposed remedial action to prevent further occurrences, for the approval of the Authorised Officer.

103. The Council is required under Best Value legislation, to compare service

performance with other similar service providers. The Service Provider will support this requirement by the supply of the relevant management information on this contract and in addition assist the Council to benchmark the Services against comparable provision within other authorities. It is expected that as part of the partnering approach the Contract is operated on ‘open book’ principles and that the Service Provider will make available all records that the council requests.

104. The measurement and criteria for performance are likely to change during the duration of the Contract and the Service Provider shall work to achieve the requirements set at any time and to record performance in such a way that the

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relevant data can be collated as defined by Best Value, the Audit commission or other organisation charged with setting performance standards and target for this range of services.

105. No additional payments will be made by the Council for any changes in the defined performance management regime and the Service Provider shall allow for all costs associated with performance management, record systems and access within their Tender price.

Method Statement 14 Monitoring, Performance and Reporting

Tenderers are invited to briefly outline how they plan to collect, record and analyse monitoring information, report on performance and provide the Council with access to such records. Tenderers should propose a range of performance indicators that they consider appropriate for this Service and the basis for incentives that would contribute to improved performance.

3. WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES 3.1 GENERAL UNDERSTANDING AND EXTENT OF SERVICES 106. The elements of the waste collection services are described under the following

headings;

Type of waste to be collected; Collection of refuse from domestic properties; Receptacle; Collection of domestic waste using bulk bins; Delivery of bins (all sizes), sacks and leaflets; Commercial waste; Collection of waste from Community halls, specified groups, etc; and Disposal of waste

3.2 TYPE OF WASTE TO BE COLLECTED 107. Household residual waste is to be collected initially on a strict weekly cycle from all

households in the Borough, included flatted and communal developments and deposited as directed by NLWA.

108. The Service Provider shall collect only that household refuse that would normally

be generated through the day-to-day activities of domestic life by householders. Residual Waste that has not been separated for recycling or composting will largely include packaging materials, some plastics and in addition, small bulky items that are clearly of a household nature and which can readily be handled must be removed from domestic properties with the weekly collection and no charge made to any household in doing so. A weight limit of 25kgs applies to individual bulky items.

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109. No items are to be collected on normal refuse routes that may cause damage to any property or the vehicle or harm to any persons.

110. The Service Provider will be required to collect as household refuse anyrecyclable materials that have been rejected by the recycling collection crew and that are left at the front of curtilage.

111. All spillages of any waste or recyclables during collection shall be cleared and removed by the Service Provider at the time.

3.3 THE COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE FROM DOMESTIC PROPERTIES

112. Household Waste shall be collected at each location on the same day of each week

and approximately at the same time in the day. The only exceptions permissible would be in those weeks before and after Christmas Day or where adverse weather conditions have disrupted collection arrangements.

113. The service will be predominantly a front of curtilage wheeled bin collection, although alternative arrangements may be or have been agreed for blocks of flats and in special circumstances. For example where there are rear alleyways in some locations householders put out the waste at the rear of the property and the Service Provider will accept this as a nominated collection point for these types of properties.

114. Only waste placed in the wheeled bin will be collected. The Service Provider should

record any households that place additional waste whether in sacks or not in addition to their wheeled bin.

115. If the Service Provider’s staff become aware that waste, not classified as residual

household waste that should be collected free of charge (as defined by the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992) has been presented for collection, the waste should not be collected and the householder advised of the reason for non-collection.

116. At each property where the Service Provider has not collected waste that has been presented for collection they must leave a suitably worded card, letter or sticker setting out the reason for non-collection. If in the opinion of the Council any refuse, which has not been collected and could have been reasonably expected to have been collected, the Service Provider must effect collection of the refuse within 24 hours of the Council’s decision.

117. The Service Provider shall make a written report (electronic version acceptable) to the Council notifying of all properties where refuse was not removed, together with the reason for non-collection, each day.

118. The practice of 'pulling out' in advance of the refuse freighter arriving to collect

Household Waste shall be limited or controlled so as not to cause danger, obstruction or nuisance to any person, vehicles or property. In no case shall bins be

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taken from properties earlier than 30 minutes ahead of the collection vehicle and never before 0600 am.

119. Spillages and loose refuse, however caused, must be removed by the Service

Provider at the time of collection. However, if spillages and/or loose refuse occur regularly at the same property, the Service Provider must advise the Authorised Officer.

120. Where a collection has been reported to the Service Provider as missed and the waste has been presented in the correct manner, they shall return and collect the waste by the end of that working day if reported before noon, and by the end of the following working day if reported after noon. For this purpose, the working day means Monday to Saturday inclusive.

Method Statement – 4A Residual Waste Collection

The Council wishes to provide a single, consistent service throughout the Borough and invites Tenderers to set out proposals for the collection of residual waste. Proposals should include comprehensive details of how the basic collection service will be carried out safely and efficiently for all Householders, other than those Household collections that are described in later sections of this specification. The proposals shall describe the method of collection that is proposed throughout the year, the number of rounds and the number of properties for each round. Details of resources, including the number of front line Loaders and Drivers to be employed and additionally the number of spare Drivers and Loaders that will provide absence cover. Tenderers shall also indicate the number and types of vehicles to be used in the Method Statement.

3.4 THE RECEPTACLE 121. Whilst household waste will usually be presented for collection in the supplied

wheeled bin, it may be presented for collection in an agreed alternative of a black sack

122. At certain premises, such as sheltered accommodation, blocks of flats and other

large premises, communal wheeled bins are in use. Details of the number and location of communal / bulk bins currently provided is given in Appendix 3. Whilst there may be some growth, it is not anticipated that it will be significant.

123. The provision and maintenance of wheeled bins for domestic waste forms part of the contract and the Service Provider shall allow in the rates for replacing or repairing free of charge any wheeled bins damaged by the Service Provider. The usability and standard of repair of the bins will be at the discretion of the Council, who will take account of the condition of the receptacle and any changed service operations. It is expected that the Service Provider will record these occurrences and undertake these repairs or replacements as a matter of course.

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3.5 THE COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE USING BULK BINS

124. Where the Authorised Officer has approved the use of communal/bulk bins, the Service Provider shall collect the wheeled or bulk bins from the collection point specified by the Authorised Officer.

125. The Service Provider shall empty the bins, replace or close lids and return the

bins to their storage location, unless this would cause an obstruction to any public highway, right of way or access or egress from any property.

126. Any household refuse, however contained adjacent to the container or storage

area, shall be removed at the time of emptying and the storage area left clear and tidy.

127. Where excessive amounts of refuse are regularly left out for collection next to a bulk

bin at a property and/or storage locations or access are blocked for any reason including by bulky items the Authorised Officer shall be informed.

Method Statement – 4B Residual Collection from Bulk Bins

It is essential that communal wheeled or bulk bins are never full and that there is no spillage or overflow from the bins at any time. The current frequency of service is weekly (unless otherwise indicated in the Appendix 3). Tenderers should set out proposals for a flexible and effective wheeled and bulk bin collection service.

3.6 SPECIAL COLLECTION SERVICE FOR BULKY ITEMS

128. A separate service for the special collection of bulky items of Household Waste (as

defined by the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992) shall be provided. The waste to be collected will generally include items of Household Waste that cannot, due to, shape, size or construction, fit within a sack or bin or items with individual weights in excess of 25 kilograms. The current service is provided free on request on three occasions for an item per household per year; subsequent requests are assessed and a charge determined.

129. Requests for this service will be directed to the Service Provider who shall be

responsible for arranging an appointment, making the collection and for determining the fee, if appropriate. The Council will then notify the Service Provider of payment and instruct the collection to go ahead.

130. The householder will be required to place the item/items at an agreed point on their

property on the appointment day for collection. The service shall be carried out irrespective of the distance from the storage point to where the refuse can be loaded into the vehicle; site conditions; handling problems; mode of storage; access problems; weather conditions or other constraints.

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131. Normally the collection point will be outside a property, however in certain special circumstances collections of bulky items will be from inside properties. In these cases the Service Provider will have to make arrangements for access.

132. The number and type of bulky collections made by the Service Provider shall be recorded and a summary forwarded to the Authorised Officer each invoicing period.

133. Refrigerated equipment and other waste that is designated Special Waste under the WEEE Directive will be collected separately under a similar procedure to that described in clauses 129-133 and shall be delivered to a site in London specified by the Authorised Officer.

134. The Council will encourage all re-use and recycling opportunities and is prepared to

share the value of any savings accruing from such re-use with the Service Provider where they have been responsible for sorting and making special arrangements for the recycling of materials, over and above that which is specifically required by this Contract.

Method Statement- 5 Bulky and Other Special Collections

Tenderers are invited to set out proposals for the special collection service, considering all of the following:

The potential for re-use and extracting recyclable materials; The speed of response from the Householder’s service request; An appointment system; Specific (separate if necessary) arrangements for white goods and those

covered by the WEEE Regulations; The type of vehicle(s) to be used; The number of Drivers and Loaders to be used; Appropriate systems and procedures for managing the service.

135. In setting out proposals, Tenderers should be mindful that the Council does not

intend that changes to the service provision encourage fly tipping. Thus pricing proposed for this contract should reflect this.

3.7 THE DELIVERY OF REFUSE SACKS AND LEAFLETS 136. The Service Provider may be requested by the Authorised Officer to provide

specified Households with 60 refuse sacks per year. A delivery of 25 sacks shall be made during the last week of March and a delivery of 35 sacks shall be made during the last week of September each year. Initially, the Service Provider shall be required to provide and make a delivery of sacks during the week prior to the commencement of the Contract to the listed Households.

137. The Service Provider shall be responsible for providing any newly listed new tenants, householders or newly occupied premises with the relevant number of sacks within one week of notification.

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138. The Service Provider shall ensure that, within the tender price, an allowance

has been made for the following;

Supplying to an approved standard, all sacks that are required to comply with this Contract;

The cost of any printing on the sacks that the Council requires; The cost of distribution of domestic sacks to front doors or doorstep;

The cost of delivering two leaflets per year to every household at the same time as the refuse sacks. All leaflets will be provided by the Council, and shall be posted through the letterbox of each household and contain information on waste management services;

The cost of delivering an additional waste management leaflet to those detailed above through the letterbox of each household;

The testing of all sacks as required by the Authorised Officer, by the Yorkshire Testing Authority or other such Authority as agreed by the Authorised Officer. Copies of all reports shall be sent to the Authorised Officer; and

Any costs of returning and replacing damaged or inferior quality sacks and dealing with failed deliveries.

Method Statement- 6 Supply and Delivery of Waste Receptacles and Sacks

Tenderers should set out their proposals for supplying and distributing waste receptacles and refuse sacks to the required standard and delivering accompanying and separate waste management leaflets. The Tenderers proposals should also include a specification for the refuse sacks that they propose to use. As an additional option (separately costed) the Tenderer should also include proposals for the delivery of a distinctive sack for dry recyclables all as clauses 137-140, but not requiring concurrent leaflet delivery.

3.8 COMMERCIAL WASTE 139. The Council provides a commercial waste collection service on request from a

commercial property within the Borough. The Service Provider will continue and develop this service for the benefit of the Council. Collection charges for this service will be set by the Council following discussion with the Service Provider. It is also expected that the Service Provider will work with the Council to expand and increase the tonnage of recycling from commercial premises.

140. The Service Provider shall not utilise any vehicles used in connection with this

Contract for the collection of commercial waste not subject to an agreement with the Council or any other purpose without the express permission of the Council. Any requests made direct to the Service Provider for a commercial waste collection should be referred to the Council.

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3.9 COLLECTION OF WASTE FROM COMMUNITY HALLS, ETC 141. The Service Provider shall collect household waste generated from community halls

and other facilities as notified. No charge shall be made to the occupiers of these premises. The Service Provider shall include the approved cost for such collection in their four-weekly invoice to the Council.

3.10 RECEIPT OF DOMESTIC WASTE AT TEMPORARY LOCATIONS

142. The Service Provider shall provide refuse collection vehicles and operatives on Saturdays at the temporary locations listed in Appendix 2 for the times specified. The current service comprises two 26 tonne and three 7.5 tonne RCVs; the former with driver plus two loaders and the latter driver plus one to assist the public who present domestic waste and bulky items at these sites.

3.11 CLINICAL WASTE COLLECTION

143. The Service Provider will manage the Council’s nominated sub-contractor (its Building Services division) in the collection of clinical waste from approximately 400 locations and work with them to improve the service, in particular by minimising the amount of waste classified as clinical.

3.12 WASTE DISPOSAL 144. All residual waste shall be deposited as directed by NLWA. Currently residual waste

is taken to the Edmonton waste incinerator at Lee Valley Technopark, Unit 169, Ashley Road, Tottenham N17 9LN. The hours of operation of the disposal site is 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Tenderers will propose a mileage/tonnage price for any diversion to an alternative deposit point imposed by NLWA. The Service Provider must ensure that vehicles are tipped regularly and that waste is not left in vehicles overnight.

145. The arrangements for disposal of collected residual waste may change during the

Contract as waste management strategies are developed and implemented. The Service Provider should familiarise themselves with the NLWA waste management strategy and will be expected to implement any changes required, after following the agreed change process, and to ensure that there is no degradation of service for users. The Service Provider is expected, as part of continuous improvement and efficiency, to work with the Council and NLWA to minimise residual waste and the impact of Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS).

146. It may be necessary during the contract term that the Service Provider will need to

use an alternative disposal site. In such circumstances the Council will consider with the Service Provider the impact this might have on service delivery and the specification and contract price will be suitably modified as necessary.

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147. All waste collected will remain the property of the Council until deposited at the designated disposal point. The Service Provider shall ensure that all its employees refrain from the practice of totting (as defined in Section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990), which is expressly prohibited.

148. Within three weeks of the end of an invoicing period, the Service Provider must

supply, in a format to be agreed, a report detailing individual loads.

Method Statement – 4C Waste Disposal

Tenderers are invited to submit details of any proposed changes in resources that would be required to accommodate a change in the nominated disposal site as described above. The proposals should include all operational changes to routes, timings and all other processes that are likely to be affected. Any additional or reduced fees or the basis for their calculation, for the potential changes should be identified and shown in the pricing document.

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4. RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING SERVICES 4.1 THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING AND EXTENT OF SERVICES 149. The Council has adopted a positive approach to recovering recyclable materials

from the waste stream, taking advantage of market conditions, grants and technology to introduce services as and when they become needed and economic. This approach has been combined with other initiatives on minimisation and awareness and has resulted in a steady growth to deliver a recycling rate of 22% for 2005/06. In consequence the Council now has set ambitious targets for recycling and composting of 33% to be achieved by 31 March 2008 and maintained from 2008/09 thereafter and 50% by 31 March 2012 and maintained thereafter of all household waste that it collects.

150. The Council achieved its 2005/06 recycling rate through the provision of a weekly

dry recyclables collection service presented in a 55 litre box (separated at kerbside) to all households, a fortnightly garden/kitchen waste collection service to 36,000 households in the northern half of the borough and the provision of a network of bring sites throughout the Borough for glass, cans, textiles and paper. In order to further develop the service, plastics are now collected from all properties in the borough and consideration is being given to expanding the garden waste collection to the whole borough. In addition a trial compulsory recycling pilot scheme to 10,000 properties in the North Chingford area is in progress. It is anticipated that the scheme will be rolled out across the entire Borough in 2007/08, as part of this pilot study an alternate weekly collection of residual domestic waste may be trialed. A successful bid has been made to WRAP for funding support to achieve higher participation rates via behavioural change; research and preparation has commenced and this campaign would last until March 2008.

151. NOT ALLOCATED 152. The Borough's collected in 2005/6 approximately 85,000 tonnes; with 7,400 tonnes

being kerbside dry recyclables; 3380 tonnes organic; 2,050 tonnes from bring and estate recycling sites and 5,350 tonnes from the civic amenity sites leaving 67.500 tonnes as residual waste.

153. The Appendices to this Contract provide a guide for determining the extent of the operations, the methodology and the resources required for this Contract.

154. The elements of the recycling services required by this Contract are described under the following headings;

Type of material to be collected; Collection of recyclables from domestic properties; Collection of recyclables from blocks of flats, etc; Servicing of bring sites; Garden/Kitchen Waste Collection Service; Bulking of collected materials Delivery of dry recyclable materials to outlets;

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Contamination; Service development; Marketing and publicity; Existing recycling contracts; Recycling credits;

4.2 TYPE OF MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED 155. The Service Provider shall be required to;

Collect and separate at kerbside mixed dry recyclables weekly from all households within the Waltham Forest borough;

Provide a weekly garden and kitchen waste collection service from 36,000 households in the borough;

Service a network of recycling banks located throughout the Borough. Manage the nominated sub-contractor who holds the contract for the two civic

amenity (CA) sites at Low Hall Depot (South Access Road) and Kings Road Chingford;

Deliver all collected separated dry recyclables and garden/kitchen waste to approved outlets, materials to be bulked as appropriate.

4.3 COLLECTION OF DRY RECYCLABLES FROM DOMESTIC PREMISES

156. The Service Provider shall be required to provide a weekly separation and

collection of mixed dry recyclables from the front curtilage of all households within the Waltham Forest Borough. Larger containers and differing arrangements may exist on blocks of flats and other groups of dwellings. Unless specifically excluded all requirements for individual households will apply also to flats, etc.

157. The collection of dry recyclate from the kerbside will generally be undertaken using

a 55-litre box previously supplied by the Council. Material for recycling must be placed at the front curtilage by 6.00 AM on the designated collection day. A different range of receptacles is used at blocks of flats; this is an undeveloped area of recycling.

158. Collections shall be weekly on the same day as the household refuse collection

service. The collection round shall be undertaken in the same sequence on each occasion and shall be at or about the same time of day. The only exceptions permissible would be in the week containing Christmas Day and that after or where adverse weather conditions have disrupted collection arrangements.

159. The Service Provider shall separate the dry recyclables by type and store transport and bulk each material separately. They may from time to time be required to assist the Council in undertaking participation surveys. This will be part of their contribution to continuous improvement unless otherwise agreed by the Authorized Officer, in which case the agreed day rates will be paid.

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160. The Service Provider will be required at the request of the Authorised Officer, to deliver supplies of recyclable bags or other receptacles to households within the Borough. Unless otherwise agreed with the Authorised Officer such deliveries shall take place within two weeks of the request being made. The bags and receptacles will be procured by the Service Provider to the specification approved by the Council, who will meet the agreed cost.

161. Where a collection has been reported to the Service Provider as missed and the recyclables have been presented in the correct manner, he shall return and collect the materials by the end of that working day if reported before noon and by the end of the following working day if reported after noon. For this purpose, the working day means Monday to Saturday inclusive.

Method statement 7 Kerbside Collection and Sorting of Dry Recyclables

Tenderers should submit a method statement demonstrating how they will deliver the specified kerbside collections, including details of methods, staffing, rounds, number and types of vehicles and unit costs. The statement should also indicate how the Service Provider would maintain and improve existing coverage, efficiency and recycling performance, with emphasis, but not exclusively, on low participation and flatted areas..

4.4 SERVICING OF BRING SITES 162. The Service Provider shall deliver a planned regular emptying of the network of

bring sites (1100/240 litre bins on the highway and 240 litre on estates) provided by the Council for the recycling of various materials as detailed in Appendix 2. The collection will include for the removal of all spillage from and around the site location.

163. Where a report has been received either directly or via the Authorised Officer

that a bin is overflowing, the Service Provider shall ensure that emptying is carried out no later than the end of the following working day.

164. The Service Provider shall record in a format to be agreed with the Authorised

Officer, details of site usage, emptying frequencies and material tonnages. 165. The Service Provider shall take responsibility for ensuring that the existing

receptacles are kept in serviceable working order and shall submit proposals for their replacement and expansion as necessary to meet the needs of the service. Upon expiry of the Contract, all bins will be left in their position on site in a similar condition to their present condition. The cost of supplying and replacing receptacles and of repairing any damaged by the Service Provider shall be included within the prices tendered by the Service Provider.

166. The Service Provider shall at the time of collection, remove all empty carrier bags and material deposited at the site which has not been placed in the banks but which can be recycled.

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The Service Provider shall report any incidents of fly-tipping at recycling sites to the Authorised Officer as soon as practically possible.

Method statement 8 Management of Bring Sites

Tenderers should submit a method statement demonstrating how they will manage collections from the bring sites, including details of methods, staffing, rounds, number and types of vehicles, maintenance of the receptacles and monitoring the cleanliness of the sites. The statement should also indicate how the Service Provider would maintain and improve existing coverage, efficiency and recycling performance.

4.5 GARDEN AND KITCHEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE 167. As part of the integrated service, the Service Provider shall provide sufficient clean

vehicles and labour to service a fortnightly Garden and Kitchen Waste Collection Service for 36,000 properties, predominantly in the north of the Borough. Expansion of this service to the whole Borough should be included in Tenderer’s plans to achieve higher levels of participation and recycling /composting. All requirements in respect of times, operations, missed collections, cleanliness, etc shall be as for the residual waste collection service detailed earlier unless otherwise specifically identified.

168. The garden and kitchen waste will be stored by the householder in a separate

wheeled bin from residual waste and presented at the front of cartilage on collection day. This organic material is currently delivered to NLWA at Edmonton for in-vessel treatment. The Council may direct use of an alternative delivery location. Tenderers may propose a costed alternative to this arrangement.

169. The Council shall be responsible for any gate fees and weighbridge costs

associated with this service.

Method Statement 9 Garden & Kitchen Waste Collection Service

Tenderers should submit a method statement demonstrating how they intend to operate and manage the current garden and kitchen waste collection services and how they would expand this across the borough so that it is efficient, quality is maintained and integration with other services is maximised. The statement should include details of methods, staff, types & numbers of vehicles, unit costs and any proposals for improvement.

4.6 BULKING OF COLLECTED MATERIALS

170. The Service Provider shall be responsible for the efficient bulking, compacting and delivery of all collected materials. Access will be granted to the limited facilities already exist at the Low Hall CA site and Service Providers should propose a comprehensive plan that maximises efficiency and effectiveness whilst minimising environmental impact and cost.

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171. All operational, facility and associated costs of bulking and allied activities shall be

met by the Service Provider and included within their tendered rates.

4.7 DELIVERY OF DRY RECYCLABLE MATERIALS TO OUTLETS 172. The Council has actively sought assistance from the private sector and has formed

excellent relationships with a number of Service Providers. The Council would encourage the new Service Provider to explore working with our existing outlets, but this is not a requirement of the contract.

173. The Service Provider shall identify outlets for each material, negotiate

arrangements and contracts, and operate all statutory and other requirements for the transport of bulked dry recyclables and delivery to the outlets approved by the Council. Full records/tickets of materials, dates, tonnages, are to be kept and submitted to the Council as part of the regular reporting process.

174. NOT ALLOCATED

175. The quality specification for each material shall be adhered to, the whole responsibility for any material rejected by an approved outlet shall rest with the Service Provider, including its subsequent removal and disposal as residual waste and all associated costs.

176. Income from the sale of recycled material shall remain with the Council. The

Service Provider shall be responsible for the marketing and administration of the sale of recycled material and shall tender prices that are fully inclusive and nett of anticipated income

4.8 CONTAMINATION 177. The Service Provider shall inspect all recyclable material containers immediately

prior to discharge to the collection vehicle. Where any container is found to contain any contraries or other contaminants which cannot be readily removed, it shall not be discharged into the collection vehicle but arrangements made for its separate collection and disposal within two working days. Any additional and/or subsequent costs of dealing with contaminated material shall be borne by the Service Provider.

178. With regard to the collection directly from households, the Householder shall be

advised formally of the reasons for non-collection. At each property where the Service Provider has not collected material in accordance with the programme a suitably worded card, letter or sticker setting out the reason for non-collection must be left and such material shall be treated as household refuse and collected and treated accordingly.

179. If loads are rejected at the delivery point because of contaminants, the Service

Provider shall be required to bear the cost of either sorting the materials and re-presenting them or transferring them to a designated Waste Disposal Site, as directed by the Authorised Officer.

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4.9 SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 180. The Service Provider will maintain the services as detailed in this Contract.

However, the frequency and nature of the Service Provider's service may need to alter during the life of the contract and proposals to amend the service must be discussed and agreed with the Authorised Officer. It is the Council’s expectation that both its officers and the Service Provider will continuously seek improvements to the waste and recycling services both for effectiveness and to improve the rate and tonnages where appropriate and that the agreed change process will be used to determine how proposals can be assessed and implemented.

181. The Service Provider is required to consider the options and make proposals for the provision of recycling services to those multiple occupancy dwellings that store waste in communal bins. Elsewhere an incentive based on performance and achieved tonnages is suggested and proposals invited. The Council will consider methods of sharing savings from service improvements and development with the Service Provider.

Method statement –10 Service Development

Tenderers are invited to prepare a strategy to achieve the statutory and local targets for recycling and composting. Tenderers need not be constrained by extending or altering this contract’s service provisions if it is believed that a better alternative exists. Whichever approach is adopted the strategy should be developed to include the following details:

The frequency and method of collection for each type of waste; The types of receptacles used; The scope or geographical area covered by the scheme and the

corresponding number of dwellings; The number & types of vehicles; The number of operators employed; Estimated total and unit costs; and The extent of marketing activities and spend.

It is likely that a phased approach is appropriate, and consequently the strategy must show the recycling percentages and costs expected year on year.

4.10 MARKETING AND PUBLICITY 182. The Council believes the targets for recycling and composting can only be achieved

by raising the general public's awareness of the service as well as participation and presentation rates. Amendments to the service need to be widely publicised and effectively communicated to Householders to avoid confusion and encourage regular presentation of recycled materials. The Council will make arrangements for the marketing and promotion of the service.

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183. The Service Provider shall be required to deliver through the letterbox, three separate waste management leaflets, produced by the Council, to all households each year. Two of these deliveries will be concurrent with the delivery of refuse sacks.

184. From time to time the Service Provider will be expected to attend waste

management promotional events and road shows. 185. From time to time the Service Provider may be required to deliver other Council

publicity material. The Council shall be responsible for any additional costs incurred by the Service Provider in making such deliveries.

186. NOT ALLOCATED. 4.11 CREDIT FOR RECYCLING PERFORMANCE 187. Within ten days of the end of an invoicing period, the Service Provider shall supply

the original weighbridge tickets together with a full analysis by tonnage, material and outlet.

188. The Council will use the weighbridge tickets to calculate the recycling performance of the Service Provider and to determine any incentives triggered by the agreed performance regime. The current recycling credit regime is being phased out so cannot be used but the Council wishes to encourage improved performance by the Service Provider and to recognize this by sharing financial savings.

189. Prior to the commencement of the Contract, and annually thereafter the Council will agree recycling performance targets with the Service Provider. If the agreed recycling targets are exceeded the Council will share any nett reduced costs of disposal and any additional income generated on a 50/50 basis with the Service Provider.

4.12 OWNERSHIP OF RECYCLATE

190. All waste and recyclate shall remain the property of the Council until deposited as directed by the Authorised Officer. The Service Provider shall ensure that all of its employees refrain from the practice of totting (as defined in Section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) and must not remove any material from recycling boxes, banks or vehicles for their own personal gain.

4.13 MANAGEMENT OF THE LOW HALL (SOUTH ACCESS ROAD) AND KINGS ROAD CA SITES (ECT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AS SET OUT IN CL. 191 to 203)

191. The Service Provider will manage the Council’s nominated sub-contractor (ECT Recycling Limited,) who are contracted to operate these two CA sites. The Service Provider will work with ECT to improve the service, in particular by maximising integration, efficiency and recycling performance. An outline of ECT’s service obligations is given in the following paragraphs.

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191. The Council makes available to ECT for the provision of the specified services the site and facilities thereon, as shown on the site plan included as Appendix 9.

192. The facilities on the site include bays for bulking recyclable material. These may be used by this contract’s Service Provider for bulking material from the kerbside collections and/or that delivered by the public direct to the site.

193. There is no charge for the use of the site or facilities thereon. An inventory of the facilities and static plant, etc that is available to ECT was agreed with ECT before their commencing the service.

194. ECT are responsible for the maintenance and good condition of all the plant and equipment and the site overall and for its handover to the Council at the termination of the contract in the same or better condition as that set out in the agreed inventory. ECT shall notify the Authorised Officer immediately of any structural maintenance required. If agreed by the Authorised Officer, this work will be ordered and funded by the Council.

195. It is expected that ECT will develop the facilities to improve their use and performance. Unless specifically agreed otherwise with the Authorised Officer, all plant, equipment and facilities provided by ECT for the better use and performance of the CA sites will become the property of the Council on termination and shall be left in full operational order.

196. ECT shall obtain and maintain at their own expense all necessary Waste Management Licences and other required statutory consents (except where already obtained and current). For the duration of their contract, ECT will ensure that all facilities, operations, practices and procedures are carried out in compliance with all consents and their requirements. ECT will also obtain any required renewals or variations necessary during the duration of their contract for the needs of that service.

197. Over and above their general health and safety obligations in delivering the services ECT will manage public access to the CA sites, including, but not limited to, entry/exit layout, vehicle circulation, safety of the public when not in their vehicle, signage and marshalling. Sufficient trained and accredited resources mist always be present to manage the site and the varying level of public demand during opening hours.

198. The current opening hours for the public are: Mondays to Fridays & weekends: 08.30-17.15 Bank Holidays Christmas & Boxing Days: CLOSED

199. ECT is expected to propose as part of their business plan how the operation of the

CA site can be improved so that it is more efficient, meets changing demands and improves recycling performance. The Council will consider proposals that require changed opening hours, subject to licence and planning implications.

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200. ECT’s and the Service Provider’s bulking requirements arising from the operation of the CA sites and other collection and sorting activities may require the relevant parts of the Low Hall CA site to be operational outside times for public access. Subject to the obtaining of any necessary permissions and consents, the Council will allow this and expect ECT to inform and manage public expectations so that there is no conflict.

201. NOT ALLOCATED

202. ECT shall only use the site for the purposes of their contract, unless otherwise expressly permitted by the Authorised Officer.

203. ECT will notify the Authorised Officer immediately and in full of any unauthorised use of the site or of any attempts to deposit unacceptable waste/material at the site.

Specification Appendix 3 - Refuse Collection Beats & Frequencies

Attached As Excel Spreadsheet

Specification Appendix 4 - Council Owned Vehicles

Not included - see ‘Transferring Vehicles’ Schedule to Main Contract

Specification Appendix 5 - List of Commercial Waste Agreements

Attached As Excel Spreadsheet

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Specification Appendix 7 - ICT Protocol

E-Government Interoperability Framework

The Service Provider shall ensure that Compliance with e-GIF is adhered to wherever applicable which means:

providing a browser interface for access using XML as the primary means for data integration using Internet and World Wide Web standards using metadata for content management.

Specifically, the Service Provider will interface with the Council’s corporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, currently SAP, for the electronic exchange of relevant financial and performance information.

The Service Provider will comply with the Council’s ICT policies where it is directly interfacing with Council systems and services.

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Specification Appendix 8 – Mobile Tip

Dates given relate to 2006, 2007 similar but to be confirmed.

ROAD WARD PROPERTIES DATEABBOTS CRESCENT HATCH LANE 85 16/09/2006ABBOTTS PARK ROAD FOREST 149 04/11/2006ACORN CLOSE LARKSWOOD 24 07/10/2006AINSLIE WOOD CRE. LARKSWOOD 13 07/10/2006AINSLIE WOOD ROAD LARKSWOOD 132 07/10/2006ALBERT ROAD GROVE GREEN 218 18/11/2006ALDERS AVENUE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 34 12/08/2006ALPHA ROAD LARKSWOOD 153 30/09/2006ARBOUR ROAD HATCH LANE 38 09/09/2006ARMSTRONG AVENUE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 60 12/08/2006ASHINGDON CLOSE LARKSWOOD 57 30/09/2006ASHVILLE ROAD GROVE GREEN 213 02/12/2006ASHWOOD ROAD HATCH LANE 35 09/09/2006ATKINS ROAD FOREST 3 28/10/2006ATWELL CLOSE FOREST 8 28/10/2006BAILY CLOSE LARKSWOOD 56 07/10/2006BALLIOL AVENUE HATCH LANE 62 16/09/2006BEACONSFIELD ROAD GROVE GREEN 45 25/11/2006BEACONTREE AVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 70 19/08/2006BEAUFORT CLOSE LARKSWOOD 52 14/10/2006BEECH HALL CRE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 54 05/08/2006BEECH HALL ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 204 05/08/2006BEECHWOOD DRIVE HATCH LANE 85 16/09/2006BELGRAVE ROAD GROVE GREEN 55 11/11/2006BELLE VUE ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 65 19/08/2006BELMONT CLOSE HATCH LANE 9 23/09/2006BELMONT PARK RD FOREST 123 28/10/2006BERNWELL ROAD HATCH LANE 64 26/08/2006BETOYNE AVENUE HATCH LANE 30 16/09/2006BEVERLEY MEWS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 17 05/08/2006BEVERLEY ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 31 05/08/2006BLACKTHORNE DRIVE HATCH LANE 52 09/09/2006BLUEHOUSE ROAD HATCH LANE 161 26/08/2006BOOTHBY COURT LARKSWOOD 10 30/09/2006BOSCOMBE AVENUE FOREST 41 04/11/2006BOTELEY CLOSE HATCH LANE 28 09/09/2006BRITISH LEGION RD HATCH LANE 13 26/08/2006

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BROOK CRESCENT LARKSWOOD 91 30/09/2006BROOK FIELD PATH HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 2 12/08/2006BROOK GARDENS LARKSWOOD 12 30/09/2006BROOK HOUSE GDNS HATCH LANE 15 16/09/2006BRUNSWICK ROAD GROVE GREEN 96 11/11/2006BUCKLAND ROAD GROVE GREEN 88 25/11/2006BUCKRELL ROAD HATCH LANE 14 09/09/2006CANTERBURY ROAD (Essex Rd To Peterborough Road) FOREST 41 04/11/2006CANTERBURY ROAD (Essex Rd To High Rd Leyton ) FOREST 142 28/10/2006CARNANTON ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 64 19/08/2006CARNARVON ROAD FOREST 72 04/11/2006CASTLE AVENUE HATCH LANE 124 23/09/2006CASTLETON ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 69 19/08/2006CENTRAL AVENUE GROVE GREEN 02/12/2006CHADWICK AVENUE HATCH LANE 24 09/09/2006CHELTENHAM ROAD FOREST 34 28/10/2006CHERTSEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 33 18/11/2006CHESTERFIELD ROAD FOREST 111 28/10/2006CHINGDALE ROAD HATCH LANE 49 26/08/2006CHINGFORD LANE HATCH LANE 223 16/09/2006CHIVERS ROAD LARKSWOOD 47 30/09/2006CHURCH AVENUE HATCH LANE 21 23/09/2006CHURCH HILLS MEWS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 5 12/08/2006CLARE ROAD FOREST 11 21/10/2006CLAREMONT ROAD GROVE GREEN 44 02/12/2006CLAUDE ROAD GROVE GREEN 179 11/11/2006CLIVEDON ROAD HATCH LANE 41 23/09/2006COBHAM ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 20 19/08/2006COLCHESTER ROAD (Essex Rd To Peterborough Road) FOREST 80 04/11/2006COLCHESTER ROAD (Essex Rd To High Rd Leyton ) FOREST 160 28/10/2006COLVILLE ROAD GROVE GREEN 24 02/12/2006CONEY BURROWS HATCH LANE 67 26/08/2006CONINGSBY GDNS LARKSWOOD 75 14/10/2006CONNINGTON CRE HATCH LANE 189 09/09/2006CONYERS CLOSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 15 12/08/2006

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COURTLAND AVENUE HATCH LANE 59 26/08/2006CRANSTON GARDENS LARKSWOOD 61 14/10/2006CREALOCK GROVE HATCH LANE 24 16/09/2006CROFTON GROVE HATCH LANE 29 09/09/2006DAWLISH ROAD GROVE GREEN 188 25/11/2006DYSON ROAD FOREST 72 21/10/2006EAST VIEW LARKSWOOD 24 07/10/2006EATINGTON ROAD FOREST 52 04/11/2006EDWARD AVENUE LARKSWOOD 43 14/10/2006ELM GROVE HATCH LANE 24 16/09/2006ELM ROAD GROVE GREEN 60 02/12/2006ELY ROAD FOREST 4 28/10/2006EPSOM ROAD FOREST 34 28/10/2006ESSEX ROAD FOREST 170 04/11/2006ESSEX ROAD SOUTH FOREST 36 04/11/2006FALMOUTH AVENUE HATCH LANE 94 23/09/2006FARTHINGS CLOSE HATCH LANE 36 26/08/2006FIELD CLOSE LARKSWOOD 31 14/10/2006FINCH GARDENS LARKSWOOD 16 07/10/2006FLADGATE ROAD FOREST 81 21/10/2006FLAXEN CLOSE LARKSWOOD 8 30/09/2006FLAXEN ROAD LARKSWOOD 85 30/09/2006FLETCHER LANE FOREST 32 21/10/2006FLETCHER LANE FOREST 32 04/11/2006FOREST DRIVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 50 12/08/2006FOREST DRIVE EAST FOREST 120 21/10/2006FOREST DRIVE WEST FOREST 149 21/10/2006FOREST GLADE HATCH LANE 80 23/09/2006FOREST GLADE FOREST 33 21/10/2006FOREST ROAD FOREST 172 21/10/2006FOREST ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 20 19/08/2006FOREST VIEW AVE FOREST 7 04/11/2006FORSTER CLOSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 15 19/08/2006FRANCES ROAD LARKSWOOD 66 14/10/2006FRANCIS ROAD GROVE GREEN 378 11/11/2006FRIDAY HILL EAST HATCH LANE 21 26/08/2006FRIDAY HILL WEST HATCH LANE 80 09/09/2006FRINTON DRIVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 21 12/08/2006FULREADY ROAD FOREST 53 04/11/2006GALESBOROUGH AVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 25 12/08/2006GASCOIGNE GDNS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 41 12/08/2006

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GENEVER CLOSE LARKSWOOD 17 07/10/2006GOODMAN ROAD FOREST 18 21/10/2006GORDON AVENUE HATCH LANE 60 23/09/2006GRANTOCK ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 63 19/08/2006GREGG CLOSE FOREST 39 04/11/2006GRIGGS ROAD FOREST 37 28/10/2006GROSVENOR ROAD GROVE GREEN 79 11/11/2006GROVE GREEN ROAD (High Rd Leyton to Francis Rd) GROVE GREEN 250 02/12/2006GROVE GREEN ROAD (Pretoria Rd to Francis Rd) GROVE GREEN 234 02/12/2006GROVE ROAD LARKSWOOD 57 30/09/2006GROVE SIDE ROAD HATCH LANE 46 26/08/2006GUILDFORD ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 58 19/08/2006GURNSEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 29 18/11/2006HAINAULT ROAD (Midland to High Rd Leyton) GROVE GREEN 40 11/11/2006HALE END ROAD (Forest Rd to Wadham Rd) HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 200 19/08/2006HALE END ROAD (Broadway to Wickham Rd) HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 393 05/08/2006HALE END ROAD (Forest Rd to Wadham Rd) HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 200 12/08/2006HALFORD ROAD FOREST 25 04/11/2006HAMPTON ROAD GROVE GREEN 22 18/11/2006HANDSWORTH AVE HATCH LANE 120 23/09/2006HARMAN AVENUE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 20 12/08/2006HARMAN CLOSE HATCH LANE 8 16/09/2006HAROLD ROAD LARKSWOOD 114 30/09/2006HATCH LANE HATCH LANE 124 09/09/2006HEATHCROFT GDNS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 32 19/08/2006HENRYS AVENUE HATCH LANE 47 16/09/2006HIGH ROAD LEYTON (Midland Rd to Francis Rd) GROVE GREEN 35 11/11/2006HIGHAM STATION AVE LARKSWOOD 219 14/10/2006HIILCREST ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 69 19/08/2006HOLLY CRESCENT HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 18 12/08/2006HOLLYWOOD WAY HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 84 12/08/2006

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HOPPETT ROAD HATCH LANE 47 26/08/2006HORNBEAM ROAD HATCH LANE 24 26/08/2006HUXLEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 163 25/11/2006INKS GREEN LARKSWOOD 71 07/10/2006JAMES LANE FOREST 98 21/10/2006JERSEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 35 18/11/2006JESSE ROAD GROVE GREEN 16 11/11/2006KEYNSHAM AVENUE HATCH LANE 32 16/09/2006KIMBERLEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 28 18/11/2006KING EDWARD ROAD GROVE GREEN 36 11/11/2006KINSLEY GARDENS LARKSWOOD 37 07/10/2006KNOTTS GREEN MEWS FOREST 22 28/10/2006KNOTTS GREEN RD FOREST 84 28/10/2006LAMBOURNE ROAD FOREST 15 21/10/2006LAMORNA CLOSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 64 19/08/2006LARKSHALL CRE LARKSWOOD 69 07/10/2006LARKSHALL RD (Larkshall Rd to New Road) LARKSWOOD 50 07/10/2006LARKSWOOD COURT HATCH LANE 160 16/09/2006LAWTON ROAD GROVE GREEN 38 11/11/2006LEA BRIDGE ROAD (Whipps X Rd to Leyton Green Rd) FOREST 110 28/10/2006LEIGH ROAD FOREST 54 21/10/2006LENA KENNEDY CLOSE LARKSWOOD 56 14/10/2006LEYTON GREEN RD FOREST 157 28/10/2006LEYTON HIGH ROAD (Bakers Arms to Midland Rd) FOREST 130 28/10/2006LEYTON PARK ROAD GROVE GREEN 93 25/11/2006LICHFIELD ROAD HATCH LANE 24 16/09/2006LINDLEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 78 25/11/2006LINNETT CLOSE LARKSWOOD 69 07/10/2006LITTLE FRIDAY HILL HATCH LANE 34 26/08/2006LIVERPOOL ROAD FOREST 56 04/11/2006LIVINGSTONE ROAD FOREST 97 28/10/2006LODGE VILLAS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 13 12/08/2006LONGACRE ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 40 19/08/2006LONGSHAW ROAD HATCH LANE 58 09/09/2006LOXHAM ROAD LARKSWOOD 30 14/10/2006

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LYNDHURST DRIVE FOREST 71 04/11/2006LYNTON ROAD LARKSWOOD 37 07/10/2006MACDONALD ROAD (Hale End Rd to Bridge) HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 44 19/08/2006MALVERN ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 86 05/08/2006MANOR FARM DRIVE HATCH LANE 147 26/08/2006MANOR WAY HATCH LANE 45 09/09/2006MAPLE ROAD FOREST 36 21/10/2006MAPLETON ROAD LARKSWOOD 64 30/09/2006MAPPERLEY DRIVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 6 12/08/2006MARION GROVE HATCH LANE 12 16/09/2006MARLBOROUGH RD LARKSWOOD 103 14/10/2006MASON ROAD HATCH LANE 7 16/09/2006MATLOCK ROAD FOREST 126 04/11/2006MEAD CRESCENT LARKSWOOD 41 07/10/2006MIDLAND ROAD FOREST 34 21/10/2006MILL LANE HATCH LANE 40 16/09/2006MINERVA ROAD LARKSWOOD 16 14/10/2006MONTALT ROAD HATCH LANE 223 16/09/2006MONTSERRAT AVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 24 12/08/2006MORLEY ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 176 05/08/2006MORLEY ROAD GROVE GREEN 176 11/11/2006MOUNT AVENUE LARKSWOOD 54 30/09/2006MOYERS ROAD FOREST 34 21/10/2006MURCHISON ROAD (Francis Rd To High Rd Leyton) GROVE GREEN 115 25/11/2006MURCHISON ROAD (Francis Rd To Norlington Rd) GROVE GREEN 200 18/11/2006NELSON ROAD LARKSWOOD 140 14/10/2006NESTA ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 32 12/08/2006NEW ROAD LARKSWOOD 226 30/09/2006NEWGATE STREET HATCH LANE 33 26/08/2006NEWPORT ROAD GROVE GREEN 223 18/11/2006NIGHTINGALE AVE HATCH LANE 48 23/09/2006NIGHTINGALE CLOSE HATCH LANE 15 16/09/2006NORLINGTON ROAD GROVE GREEN 101 11/11/2006NORMANSHIRE DRIVE LARKSWOOD 179 07/10/2006NORMANTON PARK HATCH LANE 84 26/08/2006NOTTINGHAM ROAD (Essex Rd To Ely Road) FOREST 37 28/10/2006NOTTINGHAM ROAD FOREST 42 04/11/2006

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(Essex Rd To Peterborough Road) OAK HILL HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 68 12/08/2006OAK HILL CLOSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 21 12/08/2006OAK HILL CRECENT HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 90 12/08/2006OAK HILL GARDENS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 52 12/08/2006OAKDALE LARKSWOOD 26 07/10/2006OAKDALE ROAD GROVE GREEN 132 02/12/2006OAKFIELD LARKSWOOD 7 07/10/2006OAKS GROVE HATCH LANE 14 26/08/2006OTTERBOURNE ROAD HATCH LANE 38 09/09/2006PALACE VIEW ROAD LARKSWOOD 26 07/10/2006PEARCROFT ROAD GROVE GREEN 138 02/12/2006PENTIRE ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 83 19/08/2006PETERBOROUGH RD FOREST 170 04/11/2006POPLARS ROAD FOREST 45 28/10/2006POPPLETON ROAD (Preston to Forest Glade) FOREST 170 21/10/2006PRESTON AVENUE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 105 05/08/2006PRETORIA ROAD GROVE GREEN 87 18/11/2006RHODESIA ROAD GROVE GREEN 45 18/11/2006RICHMOND AVENUE HATCH LANE 92 23/09/2006RICHMOND CRE HATCH LANE 88 23/09/2006RICHMOND ROAD GROVE GREEN 228 18/11/2006ROLLS PARK AVENUE LARKSWOOD 77 14/10/2006ROLLS PARK ROAD LARKSWOOD 40 14/10/2006ROOKWOOD GDNS HATCH LANE 20 26/08/2006ROPERS AVE LARKSWOOD 83 07/10/2006ROSSLYN AVENUE HATCH LANE 31 26/08/2006ROWDEN ROAD LARKSWOOD 53 14/10/2006ROYSTON AVENUE LARKSWOOD 87 14/10/2006RUSHCFROFT ROAD LARKSWOOD 42 14/10/2006RUSSET CLOSE LARKSWOOD 30 07/10/2006SAILSBURY ROAD LARKSWOOD 41 30/09/2006SALISBURY ROAD GROVE GREEN 39 25/11/2006SANDRINGHAM ROAD FOREST 70 04/11/2006SAXLINGHAM ROAD HATCH LANE 40 09/09/2006SCOTTS ROAD GROVE GREEN 109 11/11/2006SEDGEWICK ROAD GROVE GREEN 94 25/11/2006SERBIN CLOSE FOREST 21/10/2006SHEREDAN ROAD HATCH LANE 28 23/09/2006

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SIDMOUTH ROAD GROVE GREEN 19 25/11/2006SILVERDALE ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 28 05/08/2006SIMMONS LANE HATCH LANE 53 09/09/2006SKY PEARLS ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 95 12/08/2006ST ANDREWS ROAD FOREST 2 21/10/2006ST ANNES ROAD GROVE GREEN 20 18/11/2006ST GEORGES ROAD GROVE GREEN 122 25/11/2006ST HELIERS ROAD FOREST 12 28/10/2006ST JOHNS ROAD LARKSWOOD 35 30/09/2006ST MARY'S ROAD GROVE GREEN 134 25/11/2006ST.LEONARDS AVE HATCH LANE 23 23/09/2006STACEY CLOSE FOREST 4 04/11/2006STAPLEFORD CLOSE LARKSWOOD 75 30/09/2006STUDLEY AVENUE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 43 05/08/2006SUFFIELD ROAD LARKSWOOD 53 30/09/2006SUNNYDENE AVENUE HATCH LANE 40 23/09/2006TAMWORTH AVE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 9 12/08/2006TEMPLETON AVENUE LARKSWOOD 102 30/09/2006THE AVENUE HATCH LANE 332 23/09/2006THE BRAMLINGS HATCH LANE 93 09/09/2006THE BRIDLE PATH HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 74 12/08/2006THE CHARTER ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 65 12/08/2006THE CLOSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 10 05/08/2006THE HALE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 28 05/08/2006THE LAWNS LARKSWOOD 32 07/10/2006THE OAKS HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 45 12/08/2006THORNTON ROAD GROVE GREEN 14 02/12/2006THORPE HALL ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 33 19/08/2006TIPTREE CLOSE LARKSWOOD 15 30/09/2006TRELAWN ROAD GROVE GREEN 31 02/12/2006TREVOSE ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 60 19/08/2006TUDOR COURT LARKSWOOD 52 14/10/2006TULIP GARDENS HATCH LANE 30 09/09/2006TWICKENHAM ROAD GROVE GREEN 201 18/11/2006TYNDALL ROAD GROVE GREEN 125 25/11/2006ULVERSTON ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 91 19/08/2006UNDERWOOD ROAD LARKSWOOD 75 07/10/2006VINCENT ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 72 05/08/2006WARREN AVENUE GROVE GREEN 1 02/12/2006WARREN ROAD GROVE GREEN 142 02/12/2006WATERHALL AVENUE HATCH LANE 58 16/09/2006

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WEALE ROAD HATCH LANE 72 09/09/2006WESLEY ROAD FOREST 60 21/10/2006WHIPPS X ROAD FOREST 50 21/10/2006WHITE HOUSE HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 1 12/08/2006WHITEHALL ROAD HATCH LANE 110 26/08/2006WILLIAM STREET FOREST 55 28/10/2006WINSLOW GROVE HATCH LANE 29 26/08/2006WINSOR ROAD LARKSWOOD 8 30/09/2006WITHY MEAD HATCH LANE 121 09/09/2006WITTENHAM WAY HATCH LANE 109 09/09/2006WOOD LANE HATCH LANE 41 16/09/2006WOODSIDE GARDENS LARKSWOOD 31 14/10/2006WOODSTOCK ROAD HALE END/HIGHAMS PARK 80 19/08/2006WOODVIEW AVENUE LARKSWOOD 28 30/09/2006WRIGLEY CLOSE HATCH LANE 13 23/09/2006WYMEAD CRESCENT HATCH LANE 101 26/08/2006

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SCHEDULE 2

PRICING SCHEDULE

Appendix A

Indexation Methodology

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Appendix A

Indexation Methodology

Method of Review

1. From 1st April 2008 and for subsequent years of the Contract Period, the rates as contained within the Schedule of Rates of the Tender Documents, including Day Work Rates, shall be increased or decreased on the Review Dates by a factor calculated using the following sub-clauses.

2. The amount payable by the Employer to the Contractor shall be increased of decreased by the changes in the following Index Figures compiled by the Department of Trade and Industry and published by the Stationery Office in the Monthly Bulletin of Indices, Civil Engineering Formula 1990 – 100 series, work categories 1,2 and 10.

3. The increase or decrease in the rates to be applied shall be calculated by multiplying those rates in the Tender Documents by a Price Fluctuation Factor which shall be the net sum of the products obtained by multiplying each of the proportions given in paragraph (4) of the Condition by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Current Index Figure minus the relevant Base Index Figure and the denominator of which is the relevant Base Index Figure.

4. For the purposes of calculating the price Fluctuation Factor the proportions referred to in paragraph (3) of this Condition shall (irrespective of the actual constituents of the work) be as follows and the total of such proportions shall amount to unity:-

0.65 in respect of Index No. 1 – Labour and Supervision0.20 in respect of Index No. 2 – Plant & Road Vehicles0.15 in respect of Index No. 10 – Derv Fuel1.00 Total

5. For the purpose of this Clause:-

a) “Final Index Figure” shall mean the Index Figure appropriate to sub-clause (1) of this Clause not qualified in the said Bulletin as provisional;

b) “Base Index Figure” shall mean the appropriate Final Index Figure applicable to March 2007

c) “Current Index Figure” shall mean the appropriate Final Index Figure applicable to the March prior to each review date.

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SCHEDULE 3

AGREED METHOD STATEMENTS

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 49

2. METHOD STATEMENT 1 513. METHOD STATEMENT 2 524. METHOD STATEMENT 3 545. METHOD STATEMENT 4A 566. METHOD STATEMENT 4B 577. METHOD STATEMENT 4C 588. METHOD STATEMENT 5 589. METHOD STATEMENT 6 6010. METHOD STATEMENT 7 6011. METHOD STATEMENT 8 6212. METHOD STATEMENT 9 6213. METHOD STATEMENT 10 6414. METHOD STATEMENT 11 6415. METHOD STATEMENT 12 6616. METHOD STATEMENT 13 6717. METHOD STATEMENT 14 6818. METHOD STATEMENT 15 7019. METHOD STATEMENT 16 7120. METHOD STATEMENT 17 7121. METHOD STATEMENT 18 7322. Method Statement 19 73

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IntroductionBackground

Verdant Group Plc prides itself on providing comprehensive and innovative refuse, recycling and cleansing solutions to clients throughout England and Wales. The Company specialise in providing environmental services to local authorities and has built a reputation for offering practical solutions that provide its clients with substantial increases in recycling rates and cost-effective services that offer Best Value for money.

Experience

Verdant has considerable experience of refuse and recycling collection systems including AWC schemes and have over the past few years successfully implemented a number with the following clients:

Melton Borough Council - AWC - the service went from a back door sack collection to wheeled containers presented at the curtilage, with refuse and green waste operating in an alternate week format. Dry recyclables are collected on a weekly basis from the curtilage;

Arun District Council - AWC - the service went from a back door sack collection to curtilage collection of refuse and recyclables on an alternate week basis including the introduction of wheeled bins and an opt in green waste service, Verdant took over this contract when the incumbent contractor walked away from the Contract;

Mid Bedfordshire District Council - AWC - service comprises of the alternate weekly collection of refuse and dry recyclables and garden waste using split back RCV’s, the services were new from the start of the Contract and involved a complete re-routing of the schedules;

Gosport Borough Council - AWC - service went from weekly refuse collection to an alternate weekly collection of refuse and commingled recyclates;

Isle of Anglesey County Council - AWC - Weekly refuse collection to alternate week collection of refuse and green waste, with a kerbside sorted collection of dry recyclables.

Verdant has undertaken a number of contract start ups over the past two years including integrated contracts with Mid Beds District Council, Chiltern District Council, a re-award with Arun District Council, and a green waste service to South Oxfordshire District Council.

Verdant provides a complete range of services to these Councils (residual, recycling and green waste collection services, as well as street cleansing, grounds maintenance and other associated services).

Each of the clients outlined above needed to meet challenging performance targets and this could only be achieved through making significant changes. Today each of these contracts are now exceeding their recycling performance targets and Verdant has managed to achieve real increases in Best Value for each of them.

Verdant can also offer the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) the opportunity to review alternative methods to those proposed. A good example of this type of approach was with the Company’s client in Melton, Leicestershire. Verdant submitted a compliant bid but also, as part of the submission, proposed a separate option, which it viewed as a viable alternative that offered improved performance over the compliant option.

The client chose Verdant’s “Contractor’s Own” proposal which Verdant are proud to confirm has reached a recycling rate of 47% for 2005/6. The Contract’s high performance has been rewarded with a place in the top 15 local authorities for recycling in England and Wales for the past three years.

The Company has also developed extensive experience of managing successful TUPE transfers with over 500 staff successfully transferred to the Company in the past three years. Notable achievements have included transfers that have proved difficult and disjointed due to external influences. This has been reflected in comments received through one of Verdant’s TUPE processes with Mid Bedfordshire District Council.

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Steve Whittaker, Client Officer for the Council commented that:“Verdant have shown great determination and initiative in ensuring that the Contract was fully staffed for the commencement date, during a difficult and challenging TUPE process”

The new Contract is unique in the fact that two separate workforces are to be brought together as one.

Verdant also has a comprehensive knowledge of implementing phased and ‘Big Bang’ approaches to service change. The Company has used both of these approaches in the implementation of new contract services in recent years.

Verdant’s management structure is such that it allows the Company to react quickly to contract mobilisations and service changes. The Company’s short lines of communication mean that decisions are made quickly.

It is also important to highlight that Verdant has experience in wheeled bin rollouts, these roll outs are undertaken internally by the Company without the need to sub-contract. The Company has developed systems that enable it to operate and manage these types of operations effectively.

The Company has a full understanding of the tools needed to design new round structures, utilising IT based technology and considerable knowledge from employees to accurately develop efficient round schedules.

Company History

The Company has been operating as Verdant since November 2001. On October 25 th 1988 Ecovert Limited was formed as a subsidiary of the Saur UK Group Ltd to deliver municipal services.

On 30th November 2001 Verdant Capital Ltd acquired 100% of the equity of Ecovert Ltd from Saur UK. As a share sale and purchase there were no changes to Ecovert Ltd contracts.

On 1st December 2002 Verdant Capital Ltd changed to Verdant Group Plc. In the following year on 25 th

March 2003 Verdant Group Plc was officially launched as the brand name replacing Ecovert Ltd.

Jon and Simon Miles who previously owned Polkacrest Ltd, a waste management company incorporated by them in 1983, are joint owners of Verdant Group.

Ecovert’s good reputation and solid contract base were seen as an opportunity to re-enter the market with a business that offered development potential.

Verdant Group Plc has continued to build upon the Contracts inherited from Ecovert Ltd. Since its inception Verdant has secured a number of large-scale integrated contracts with services ranging from refuse and recycling collection to street cleansing services. As well as a number of smaller local authority contracts.

Verdant is committed to two key objectives in its business plan:

Delivering consistently high levels of customer satisfaction through the Company’s constant improvement programme;

Increasing its market share profitably.

The Company has more than doubled turnover to £26 million per annum from 2002 whilst increasing operating margins. The turnover for 2006/7 will be £43 million.

The Company has continued to maintain its presence in the Grounds Maintenance sector with the re-award of its contract with Wycombe District Council in 2004.

Verdant has three subsidiary companies:

Ecovert Ltd;The Fosse Group Ltd;Waste Services Ltd.

Verdant is now recognised as the leading provider of municipal services in England and Wales.

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Method Statement 1The contract start up will include, but not be limited to, the following:

A project management team lead by Verdant’s Chairman with full time personnel dedicated to the mobilisation;

A timetable (Mobilisation Plan – See appendix 1) is agreed by all parties detailing all the start-up considerations and their proposed dates to be completed;

Mobilisation objectives that are clearly and concisely communicated to all parties to ensure that all groups are in no doubt as to what is expected of them;

All plant and machinery will be agreed and ordered to allow sufficient time for construction and completion to coincide with the Contract start date;

Approval of livery and logo designs; Subject to TUPE, introductory meetings will be scheduled and held with all existing staff to allay any

fears or issues surrounding their employment. These meetings will also act as a platform to introduce Verdant to the workforces and communicate how the Company and LBWF will be working towards service improvements and harmonisation;

All the relevant training will be carried out to ensure that all operatives and other staff members are adequately qualified to perform any new duties;

All health and safety considerations will be met to ensure the welfare of all staff; Relevant staff and personnel will be employed to carry out all job roles and responsibilities; All staff will be made aware of their new roles and responsibilities, together with the issue of a Contract

Manual; Licences will be in place at contract start, or interim applications submitted to ensure operations at the

depot are legal; All arrangements with key suppliers will be agreed and in place; Employee data will have been logged and recorded, and arrangements are in place to ensure that all

personnel are remunerated in accordance with their contract; Information and recording systems will be implemented in order to begin data capture and reporting to

LBWF; There is continued consultation with operatives after contract start-up has been initiated to monitor

problem areas; Verdant will identify the languages need to communicate with all staff and use interpreters if needed.

The start up team will include designated Business Managers and Supervisors who have provided support during previous contract start up operations. The start up management Team will include a number of head office and operational personnel including:

Position LocationExecutive Chairman Board of Directors (BOD)

Managing Director Board of Directors (BOD)

Finance Director Board of Directors (BOD)

Development Director Board of Directors (BOD)

Contract Portfolio Manager/s Senior Management Team (SMT)

Strategic Development Manager Senior Management Team (SMT)

Fleet Engineer/s Senior Management Team (SMT)

Human Resources Senior Management Team (SMT)

Selected Business Managers Site Depot Personnel (SDP)

Key Council staff

Current Operations Staff (if appropriate) Site Depot Personnel (SDP)

All senior staff will have a defined role in the start-up process. The Board of Directors (BoD) will oversee and manage the whole process lead by the Executive Chairman, playing the pivotal role in post tender discussions with LBWF to ascertain the key requirements and objectives of the Council.

The Board will also play a key role alongside LBWF in ascertaining and solving key personnel and other contractual issues that will inevitably come about as a result of any changeover of management. The Senior Management Team will play a key part in the organisation and creation of the major human resource and financial mechanisms that will need to be in place in order to provide a smooth and efficient

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crossover. As well as this the SMT would liaise with members of the Board of Directors in order to ascertain plant and vehicle requirements of LBWF, as well as other operational resource issues. This part of the operation would predominantly be based at the Company’s Head Office in Kent. The SMT will also provide an ongoing centralised support role to the local depot throughout the Contract period.

The Fleet Engineers will ensure that all vehicles and equipment are in primary working order and that all the relevant checks have been carried out, thus ensuring a fully working and effective fleet of vehicles from contract start. These staff will undertake staff training and also the co-ordination of activating any workshop facilities.

The Site Depot Personnel, comprising of the selected Business Managers from Verdant’s current portfolio and staff transferring over from the incumbent contractors, will assume a semi-permanent on-site role in the weeks leading up to the contract start date. They will provide a support role to the SMT and BoD, ensuring that the depot facilities are ready, all employee workwear is present and issued correctly, all ICT facilities are operational, that all vehicles and equipment are ready for use etc. In the days leading up to the commencement date these personnel will facilitate the coordination of new staff and their respective duties, helping with training and providing guidance and support to other personnel.

Throughout the contract start up process all three components of the start up Team (BoD, SMT and SDP) will maintain close and frequent contact with the Council to ensure all the elements of the process are managed effectively.

Appendix 1 at the end of this document shows a draft example of the Mobilisation Plan (this is not an exhaustive list). It would be used to develop a timetable of events in the run up to the contract commencement date, ensuring that all defined tasks are completed in readiness for each evolving stage. LBWF will be given regular updates with regard to the progress of the mobilisation plan.

It is proposed that to ensure a seamless start the existing LBWF vehicles are used. Obviously there are vehicles that have to be ordered e.g. kerbside recyclers etc, if lead times are difficult then Verdant would look for an agreement with ECT on the existing vehicles until the new ones are available.

It may be the case that the LBWF have issues concerning the transfer of managerial or supervisory staff. This will need to be addressed and clarified. The Company will, of course, have an obligation to take on all staff eligible for transfer under TUPE regulations. Verdant notes that there are members of the workforce who are members of a union. The Company has considerable experience of negotiating with the different unions who represented across the sector. The Company also has a National Agreement in place with the GMB. A period of consultation will be undertaken to ensure a smooth changeover of staff.

Method Statement 2The table below shows the deployment of staff that will be permanently based on the Contract and located at the premises based in the Borough. Appendix 2 shows the proposed management and supervisory structure of the operation.

Service Staff Drivers Loaders Total

Operations Director 1 0 0 1Manager (Operations) 1 0 0 1Manager (Human Resource) 1 0 0 1Manager (Workshops) 1 0 0 1Manager (Improvement) 1 0 0 1Manager (Sub-Contractors) 1 0 0 1Administration Staff 2 0 0 2Workshop Staff 4 0 0 4Supervisors 4 0 0 4Domestic/Trade/Markets Refuse Collection 0 20 40 60

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Multi-Occupancy/Trade 0 2 0 2Bulky Waste Collection 0 4 4 8Kerbside Recycling Collection 0 19 37 56Bring Site Collections 0 1 1 2Green and Kitchen Waste Collection 0 3 6 9Pool Staff 0 7 7 14Total 16 56 95 167

It is proposed that an Operations Director is appointed due to the size and nature of the Contract. This role will report in directly to the Verdant board of directors.

All staff are given induction training whether transfer or new to the Contract. In addition to this training, the following training courses are encouraged covering general and specific training for various operations:

Health & safety policies and procedures; Safe systems of working (do’s and don’ts checklist); Risk assessment policies and procedures outlined; Stress management and identifying stress in the workforce; Driver skill training and operating vehicles safely; First-aid/emergency training and handling emergencies; IT training and computer systems and software; Professional qualifications and higher education funding; PPE and protective clothing requirements and maintenance; Basic fire fighting; Manual handling; LGV training; Union courses; NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and certification by recognised trade organisations.

Staff will be trained in all aspects of manual handling which includes how to lift and handle awkward and heavy loads safely. Within operations where bin lifting, compaction and other equipment is fitted, operatives will receive demonstrations and training from suppliers on new and existing equipment. Once staff have shown a suitable level of competency and proficiency they will be authorised to use the relevant equipment. A refresher training program is instigated to ensure that operatives continue to use equipment safely and correctly.

All drivers will undertake an annual driving assessment to ensure safe operation of vehicles, good and consistent understanding of The Highway Code and relevant legislation, and a high level of consideration for other road users. Multi-skilled operatives enable Verdant to provide a more flexible approach to the Contract and improve responses to unplanned work. During the appraisal process it will be established whether particular individuals wish to undertake further training to become multi-skilled. Verdant supports its staff in attaining formal qualifications; for example, NVQs, LGV training etc.

A training record form is completed for each individual, detailing qualifications, skills, experiences, courses attended and the relevant information. This form is updated as and when required. Relevant induction training is recorded. A copy of this form is shown in Appendix 3. To assist the Company in identifying the most appropriate areas for training each location completes a skills training matrix covering individual employees.

Verdant actively promotes career development. Through appraisals, assessments and training, staff at all levels are given an equal chance to develop at depot level and throughout the organisation. All promotion and employment opportunities are posted on notice boards across the Company, and staff are always encouraged to apply.

The Company constantly monitors the training needs of its workforce in order to adapt to changing working practices. If there is a requirement for specific training requirements by the Councils then the Company will work alongside the Councils to ensure these needs are not only met but exceeded.

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In order to provide the most comprehensive and current service Verdant would continuously monitor these schemes and assess them based upon their relative merits and suitability to specific areas of the Contract. All staff are encouraged to broaden their job skills through training and development. Posters are placed in all depots advertising new skills such as LGV training courses, Verdant has a driver training school based in South Wales. A copy of the poster that is displayed at all company sites is included in Appendix 4.

Verdant’s last two Business Manager appointments were internal promotions and the most recent Contract Portfolio Manager was an internal promotion also.

All personnel are subject to an entry and annual appraisal and once training needs are assessed an appropriate training plan is drawn up. An annual appraisal is conducted thereafter by the appropriate line manager to establish any further training requirements in the light of changing circumstances. Verdant views the cross training of employees as particularly relevant with the establishment of fully integrated waste management contracts.

Appendix 5 shows the Company’s training process under its quality management accreditation.

Method Statement 3Verdant acknowledges that LBWF has offered the existing Council fleet for use on the Contract. In order to maintain the existing service and ensure a seamless change the Company has based its tender submission on the use of these vehicles. On parts of the operation where vehicles will not be transferring e.g. kerbside recycling vehicles then Verdant will order new vehicles. At this stage the final specification for any replacements has not been finalised. Verdant would propose to agree all specifications with LBWF prior to ordering.

The table below shows a summary of the vehicles proposed to be used on the Contract. Round

No. Vehicle Type Council/Verdant Activity

A 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

B 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

C 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

D 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

E 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

F 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

G 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

H 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

J 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

K 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

L 6X2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

NAN 6x2 24T RCV Narrow with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

NAC 6x2 24T RCV Narrow with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

NAS 6x2 24T RCV Narrow with split binlift Council Domestic Refuse

G1 6x2 26T Rotapress with split binlift Council Kitchen/Green

G2 6x2 26T Rotapress with split binlift Council Kitchen/Green

G3 6x2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Kitchen/Green

T1 6x2 26t RCV with binlift Council Trade Waste

T2 6x2 26t RCV with binlift Council Trade Waste

F1 4x2 11T Hooklift Verdant Domestic – Flats

F2 4x2 11T Hooklift Verdant Domestic – Flats

BH1 4x2 16T RCV Council Bulky Household



BH4 4x2 7.5T Boxvan with tailift Verdant Bulky and Bin Delivery

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Round No. Vehicle Type Council/Verdant Activity

BS1 6x2 23T Toploader Council Bring Sites

BS2 6x2 23T Toploader Verdant Bin Frames

MK1 4x2 11T RCV with binlift Council Markets



RC1 4x2 7.5T Stillages Body Verdant Kerbside Recycling

RC2 4X2 7.5T Stillages Body Verdant Kerbside Recycling




RC6 4X2 11T Stillages Body Verdant Kerbside Recycling













SP1 6x2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Spare/Support

SP2 6x2 26T RCV with split binlift Council Spare/Support

SP3 6x2 24T RCV Narrow with split binlift Council Spare/Support

SP4 6x2 24T RCV Narrow with split binlift Council Spare/Support

SP5 4x2 11T Stillages Body Verdant Spare/Support

SP6 4x2 11T Stillages Body Verdant Spare/Support

Vehicles are listed according to whether these are supplied by the Council or Verdant but it must be emphasised that this is to give an overview of which current vehicles will be used. Verdant also recognises that some of these vehicles will become seven years old or more during the life of the Contract. Currently the proposal allows for basic replacement of a number of vehicles but it must be emphasised that if service changes are introduced during the Contract then specifications and the number of vehicles may change. In this instance Verdant would agree with the Council vehicle changes in accordance with the requirements of the Contract. Verdant has allowed for a budget for vehicle replacements the wil comply with the seven year stipulation.

Vehicles will be subject to a regular washing programme to ensure that all equipment is in a presentable condition at all times.

Verdant acknowledges that the existing workshop facility can undertake all necessary maintenance and repair operations. A stringent programme of maintenance has been allowed for in the tender submission, but Verdant would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with LBWF.

Appendix 6 details the Company’s standard maintenance procedures.

In Verdant’s experience it has found that operating a diverse fleet of equipment can reduce the flexibility of the operation. Where possible the Company uses similar vehicle specifications to allow for great inter-changeability. It is important that this is taken into consideration when looking at service changes.

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Verdant would continually look at ways to minimise cost and increase efficiency, the Company would welcome the opportunity to discuss with LBWF ways in which any savings can be re-invested to benefit the services provided.

The use of spare vehicles as show in the table above provides sufficient flexibility in the event of vehicle failures and/or delays.

All Verdant vehicles will be new and based on Iveco equipment.

Method Statement 4AVerdant recognises LBWF’s desire to maintain the existing service during the initial contract period. The Company agrees that in order to ensure a seamless change services remain the same while issues such as workforce transfer are dealt with. Verdant has attempted with the information provided and comprehensive investigation of the Borough to mirror the existing domestic refuse collection.

The proposals are based on the collection of wheeled bins from households on a weekly basis.

The following table shows the round structure, crew sizes and workloads. The vehicle details are shown on Method Statement 3.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Number of Properties per day (Indicative)

A 1 3 4 1450B 1 3 4 1450C 1 3 4 1450D 1 3 4 1450E 1 3 4 1450F 1 2 3 925G 1 2 3 925H 1 2 3 925J 1 2 3 925K 1 2 3 925L 1 2 3 925M 1 2 3 925

NAN 1 2 3 600NAC 1 2 3 600NAS 1 2 3 600T1 1 1 2 600T2 1 1 2 N/a

MK1 1 1 2 N/aMK2 1 1 2 N/aMK3 1 1 2 N/a

Spare 7 7 14 Please note these staff will be allocated across all services

Total 27 47 74

To ensure the safe collection of domestic refuse a risk assessment is undertaken prior to the start of the Contract. All staff will be trained to ensure that they are fully aware of the safest methods of collection.

All staff will be supplied with full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and this will be replaced as and when during the course of the Contract. Supervisors will also ensure that when out on the rounds all staff are wearing their full PPE.

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All rounds will be fully documented and a round schedule provided to each driver for the start of the days work. This round schedule will contain information regarding special instructions, assisted collections, difficult areas etc. The driver will be instructed to ensure that if any problems are encountered e.g. delays, bin not out, side waste etc that a supervisor is contacted and informed immediately. Where there is side waste etc then the bin will be stickered or the property carded.

Verdant ensures that the same crews operate on the various rounds in order to build up knowledge and provide a consist service. In instances when crew members are absent there is always sufficient knowledge of the rounds to minimise disruption.

As shown in the table above a number of full time pool staff have been proposed, these staff will be multi-skilled to operate on the various parts of the service.

It is understood that a review of the rounds was undertaken approximately three years ago. Verdant would propose to undertake a review of the rounds in conjunction with LBWF to identify any issues that may have arisen since then. The Company would also propose to review the efficiency of the rounds to identify any possible synergies.

The proposals allow for the disposal of residual waste to be delivered into Edmonton. The 24 hour nature of this disposal point provides considerable flexibility in the event of delays. There also may be an opportunity to develop proposals for the double shifting of some vehicles in the future.

The tender submission has allowed for the collection from households during the hours stated in the specification.

Each driver will be given the role of team leader to ensure that all the crew are present, the vehicle is checked (this will be done both prior to the start of the shift and at the end of each shift), all round information has been received and that the crew leaves the depot on time. At this time the driver will be supported by a supervisor who will ensure that when either a crew member is absent or the vehicle has a defect then replacements are allocated quickly.

In terms of bank and public holidays the proposal includes the roll over of collections in accordance with the current arrangements. With regard to Xmas and New Year Verdant would agree a programme with LBWF.

Verdant prides itself on the reduction of missed collections with its existing local authority clients and would implement a programme to ensure that this event is minimised in the Borough. Where missed collections do occur then this will be rectified in accordance with the specification.

All vehicles will carry brushes, shovels and spillage kits to ensure that all spills are dealt with immediately.

At the end of the shift all completed round information, weighbridge tickets etc will be handed to the supervisor. This information will then be process and sent to LBWF in an agreed format. Each driver will be de-brief to identified any issues that have arisen during the collection round.

Verdant recognises that there are a number of areas in the Borough that have restricted access and acknowledges that are currently three narrow access rounds. These have been allowed for in the proposals.

T1 and T2 are the trade collection rounds and MK1, MK2, Mk3 are the market rounds. With regard to the markets it must be emphasised that as the frequencies and demand are unknown this resource may have to be varied.

All vehicles will be fitted with real time tracking systems.

Method Statement 4BIt is understood that multi-occupancy sites are serviced in a number of ways, the use of wheeled bins e.g. 1,100 litre or 1,280 and steel hooklift containers.

The servicing of the wheeled bins will be undertaken when possible on the existing domestic refuse rounds that will empty these bins as part of the work schedule. Drivers will be encouraged to report back any issues with regard to bin capacity. It is acknowledge that there are a number of locations that received more than

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one empty per week. In the instance where capacity is not sufficient then LBWF will be consulted and a resolution agreed e.g. additional bins or collections.

In the case of the hooklift bins the table below shows the resource to be used to provide this service. The vehicle details are outlined in Method Statement 3.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Number of Properties

F1 1 0 1As per appendix 3

F2 1 0 1Spare As shown in the table in Method Statement 4

Total 2 0 2

Verdant would propose to agree with LBWF the base frequencies for swapping the hooklift bins and it has been assumed that the Council has spare bins to enable swaps to be undertaken. Feedback from the drivers will be encouraged to ensure that capacity is maintained at each of the sites. The schedules will be adjusted at bank and public holidays to ensure that there is no issue of overflow over the period.

These vehicles will also undertaken the collection of any trade containers.

Method Statement 4CThe effect on resources or the operation of the services due to a change in disposal arrangements very much depends of the changes which may take place. This might range from an alteration in the opening and closing times of the waste disposal facility to the change of disposal location and type of facility available.

Currently the disposal facility is a waste transfer station with hard standing and solid access roads. For this type of facility the Contractor would resource the service and include for a reduced level of maintenance cost. However due to the often poor access roads and possible damage to vehicles, a change to a landfill operation would lead to significant increases in vehicle maintenance and the associated costs.

The location of an alternative disposal facility will also have a bearing on the increases in resources and the way in which the service is provided. Dependant upon distance, the service may be provided with a system of shuttle vehicles or through extended hours of working and subject to the disposal facility operating times, the Contractor may consider double shifting vehicles in order to take account of the distances travelled and the increases in staffing numbers, whilst endeavouring to keep expensive vehicle resources to a minimum.

Working in partnership with the Council, Verdant would be keen to identify the best method to adopt in order to ensure the service is maintained with the least level of disruption in service and increases in cost.

Verdant has on other contracts agreed a per tonne/mile formula for tipping at new sites. The Company would be happy to provide this information at the next stage.

Method statement 5Verdant recognise that bulky waste and special collection is a necessary and important service to be provided to the local residents. Without the facility to have household items collected initially free of charge or for a nominal affordable charge, the waste may become fly-tipped, (which is generally unsightly and costly to clear). Additionally, for elderly or disabled residents or those without transport, this service may be their only way of disposing of bulky waste.

The table below shows the resources to be used to provide this service. The outline vehicle details are included in method Statement 3.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Location

BH1 1 1 2 NorthBH2 1 1 2 CentralBH3 1 1 2 South

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BH4 1 1 2 Borough wideSpare Please see table in method statement 4Total 4 4 8

White goods and WEEE items shall be collected by a separate collection round consisting of a 7.5tonne box vehicle with a driver and 1 loader. This will allow for the segregation of fridges and freezers for degassing, and also offer an opportunity to identify items which can be either repaired or reused.

Care will be taken when collecting fridges/freezers to avoid damaging any mechanical parts that may lead to the escape of CFC gases and will be delivered to waste site for the extraction of CFCs.

Verdant has extensive experience of this type of operation, and following notification from the Council, requests for this service shall be managed directly by the administrative staff based at the depot, with an emphasis being placed on flexibility, thereby allowing for collections to be arranged based on numbers of requests as well as by location.

Should the resident need to be in attendance to provide access to their premises, appointment for the collection will be made at a mutually convenient time.

If for some unforeseen reason the Company is unable to comply with the appointment we will contact the householder and arrange another date and time.

If the householder fails to keep the appointment, the collection operative will place a card through the letter box at the premises informing the householder of the collection visit and the arrangements they need to make in order for a new collection date and time to be arranged.

If spillage of waste occurs all staff are fully trained and carry adequate equipment to deal with the spillage which would be promptly removed before completing the collection.

The domestic bulky waste collection shall be planned and carried out in a manner which provides the best response and flexibility of service by integrating both the residual waste collection and bulky waste services together. This will provide an opportunity to properly plan and maximise productivity of the vehicles taking into account the locations for collections, material types and the vehicular access available.

Verdant feels that its experience of working with vulnerable groups has helped to develop approaches and services which make the experience of having a stranger visit their home less stressful. Such groups may include those people with sight or hearing disabilities and elderly.

In order to respond to the needs of those vulnerable groups, Verdant, in conjunction with the client, would look to introduce a number of initiatives, which could include the production of calling cards in English and other ethnic languages, the collection operative telephoning the occupier or a neighbour/friend prior to arrival, the operative producing an introduction letter on arrival which explains who they are and the work that they are there to carry out, and the use of a password scheme.

Verdant are experienced in the development of re-use and recovery schemes for bulky waste, which the Company would be very pleased to introduce to Waltham Forest in conjunction with the Council.

The opportunity of re-use for many of the items collected on the bulky waste service could be realised with the potential introduction of a furniture store/shop which could provide a sustainable outlet for the re-use of many items otherwise destined for landfill.

This has proven to be a valuable source of support for many less fortunate members of the community and often can be provided in conjunction with the Council’s Social Services. This both supports the need for re-use and recovery and assists many within the local community.

Verdant would operate a computerised diary system to log all orders, this system will flag up collections when due.

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Method Statement 6Verdant propose that the Supervisor will take responsibility for organising, planning and monitoring the supply and distribution of waste receptacles and refuse collection sacks to those properties identified by the Client requiring new or replacement containers.

Details of the location will be recorded on computer and a delivery round shall be planned for the container delivery team to undertake. This will consist of a 7.5t box vehicle with a driver and 1 loader, who will also provide support for the delivery of leaflets accompanying the containers. This vehicle is listed as BH4 in Method Statement 5.

Where a dedicated leaflet delivery is required, subject to the type and quantity of leaflets/information packs to be delivered, this may be undertaken either in conjunction with the waste collection teams during their normal collection rounds, and or supported by a dedicated delivery.

Sack Specification

The sack specification is as follows:

Method of Delivery by Manufacturer45 sack rolls

DimensionsWidth at Weld - 460 mmOpen Width- 740 mmLength - 990 mmTolerances on all above dimensions - +/-2.5%

ThicknessThickness - 25 micronTolerance - +/-7%

Material of Manufacture100% recycled polythene with post use contentPrinting to be made with water based ink

ColourBlack

Strength (BS 2782)Tensile - machine direction 27N

transverse direction 25N

Method Statement 7The tender submission includes collection of the following materials newspapers, magazines, glass bottles, glass jars, textiles, steel cans, aluminium cans, aluminium foil, engine oil, household batteries, cardboard and plastic bottles. The collection of these materials means that stillage equipment similar to that currently used by the incumbent contractor would be specified.

It is proposed that the bin frames contained wheeled bins for the following materials aluminium and steel cans, newspapers and magazines and glass.

The table below shows the resources proposed to operate on these services. The vehicle details are included in Method Statement 4.

Round Drivers Loaders Total

RC1 1 2 3RC2 1 2 3RC3 1 2 3

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RC4 1 2 3RC5 1 2 3RC6 1 2 3RC7 1 2 3RC8 1 2 3RC9 1 2 3

RC10 1 2 3RC11 1 2 3RC12 1 2 3RC13 1 2 3RC14 1 2 3RC15 1 2 3RC16 1 2 3RC17 1 2 3RC18 1 2 3BF1 1 1 2

Total 19 37 56

The nature of the Borough means that “one size doesn’t fit all”. With this in mind and the work that LBWF have already done to achieve 20%+, Verdant proposes that the existing service is maintained but with improvements.

This type of kerbside collection scheme can be quite labour intensive and time consuming, this is due mostly to the diverse range of materials collected. With this in mind there are a number of modifications that will be made to the specification of the vehicles to speed up the separation process. Verdant would welcome the opportunity to discuss this in greater detail with the Council.

Also, more effective supervision to ensure that crews are maintaining the round schedules. The service improvements will make the scheme more regular and user friendly for the residents which alone will encourage a greater participation in the scheme. It is also proposed that as new vehicles will be used a high profile livery campaign is applied to the equipment.It would be proposed that all materials will be brought to the depot for bulking. Information supplied so far by LBWF has indicated that it may be possible to share this with ECT. This makes it difficult to calculate the costs of materials handling and bulking, so for the purpose of the submission this is not currently included.

Prior to the start of the Contract a comprehensive review of the rounds would be undertaken. It has been assumed that the Council will supply the existing round schedules. This review will take into consideration those areas if any that are compatible with the service but not yet covered. However, for the resource proposals it has been assumed that the Borough is covered on the scheme apart from the multi-occupancy sites.

The proposals have allowed for a Manager to work closely with the Council’s Recycling and Education Officer. This proposal is expanded further in Method Statement 11.

The table also shows the resource proposed to collect from the bin frames located around the Borough. This will be operated on a schedule basis but bin frames will be checked regularly and service to ensure that there is no overflow. Domestic refuse crews that are operating in the area will check any bin frames that are located on the route, if there is a volume issue then the driver will inform the relevant supervisor.

Any bins that are constantly full will be reported to the LBWF and agreement reached on the course of action e.g. larger bins, increased frequency etc.

At the end of each shift all route information, weight tickets etc will be handed for processing, this information will be made available to LBWF in a format to be agreed.

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Verdant operates a number of commercial recycling operations around the South and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with the Council.

Method Statement 8It is understood that the following materials are to be collected from the bring sites located in the Borough, paper, glass, plastic and cans.

The table below indicates the resource proposals to be used on this service. The outline vehicle details for this service are included in Method Statement 3.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Number of Sites

BS1 1 1 2Spare Please see table in Method Statement 4Total 1 1 2

It is proposed that the service is based on a basic scheduled service with additional empties for the busier sites. Verdant would agree a schedule with the Council prior to the start of the Contract.

Feedback will be encouraged from the crew on any sites where there are issues e.g. vandalism, capacity, contamination, fly tipping etc. This will reported to LBWF and agreement reached on resolving these situations.

Upon arrival at each site the crew will check for contamination prior to emptying the bins. Once these are emptied the crew will ensure that the area is tidy. As it is not clear what the level of historical contamination has been at the bring sites no allowance has been made for the emptying of any contaminated bins.

It has been assumed that all existing receptacles will be in a clean and serviceable condition prior to the start of the new contract. It is proposed that rather than increase the cost of the service any bins that require replacement are agreed with the Council on an open book basis. Similarly if the expansion of the number of receptacles is required then it is proposed that agreement is reached with LBWF under an open book arrangement.

Method Statement 9The Green and Kitchen Waste recycling service will operate in conjunction with the refuse collection service as a fortnightly collection scheme to 36,000 households currently on the scheme.

The table below shows the resources for the service. The outline vehicles details are listed in Method Statement 3.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Number of Properties

G1 1 2 336,000G2 1 2 3

G3 1 2 3Spare Please see table in Method Statement 4Total 3 6 9

At the start of each working day, the service supervisor will issue the collection teams their folders containing daily worksheets, daily vehicle check and any specific work instructions for the round.

Completed forms will be returned at the end of the working day before final release of the driver and his team from their duties.

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The driver will carry out all vehicle checks prior to leaving the depot in accordance with the Quality system and shall advise the supervisor of any problems, which will be rectified before commencing the collection round.

It is in the interest of Verdant to present the right image for both the company and the Council. Therefore it will be incumbent upon the management to establish a “Good Housekeeping” regime and ensure that all employees are aware of the requirement to keep vehicles and equipment in a clean and tidy condition at all times.

This policy will be applied by the manager and supervisors and will require that drivers wash the exterior and keep clean the interior of their vehicles.

The driver will be required to refuel the vehicle at the end of the day and carry out a deep cleanse of the vehicle every week.

The collection team will follow a prescribed collection route and when the vehicle is fully loaded, will proceed to the green and kitchen waste composting facility.

On completion of the day’s work and prior to return to the depot, the driver will contact the depot advising the supervisor that all work has been completed.

This will allow the supervisor the opportunity to notify the team if there are any outstanding collections which they could complete before their return, thereby providing greater flexibility in service provision.

During the course of the day telephone contact will be maintained on a regular basis to verify the progress of the work and any problems encountered.

The supervisor will, as necessary, issue any further instructions to the crew by radio/ telephone, which will be added to the daily worksheets by the driver.

The collection team will commence work at 06.00 hours unless otherwise instructed and work on a task and finish system until the round is completed.

The round will have a round sheet for each day, which must be adhered to unless traffic congestion or restricted access dictates a route change. If this is the case, the driver will report this to the supervisor who will immediately advise the Client Officer.

As the team leader, the driver will be responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are performed and that all crew-members wear full and appropriate personal protective clothing.

The vehicle will be equipped with a mobile telephone, which will enable the team to contact the depot or supervision. This will ensure missed collections can be addressed quickly and any breakdowns or problems communicated to the appropriate person.

Verdant will ensure that all green and kitchen waste presented will be collected from the curtilage in accordance with the contract specification. Furthermore, during the waste collection process, the collection team shall ensure that empty green waste wheeled bins are returned to their collection point in a safe manner, tidily with the lid closed, ensuring they are placed in such a way as to not cause any obstruction.

Excess green waste recyclate shall be collected at the time of collection and in the case of recurring excess green waste problems in any month Verdant will provide the Council with details of these occurrences.

Where a householder presents more than one wheeled container for green waste, the team will notify the Supervisor who will report this to the Client Officer at the end of each working day.

If the collection operative encounters spilt green waste resulting from the collection, he shall ensure that green waste spillages are removed at the time of collection.

In order to ensure complete service delivery, each collection team shall be equipped with a broom and shovel to assist with any spillage removal.

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All green waste operatives will be instructed not to mix domestic/commercial waste with green waste, and each operative will be required to immediately notify the depot administrator or supervisor of any property where it was found that materials contamination has been encountered.

Details of all locations where materials were not collected shall be recorded and forwarded to the Client Officer for future reference.

Where if it is found to be a repeated occurrence or where the contamination is considered intentional, the supervisor may be required to visit the location and shall report this to the Client Officer for his attention.

Whilst the current service appears to be well supported, there is still great potential to increase further the participation in the green and kitchen waste service.

Working closely with the Council’s Recycling Officer, Verdant shall develop a strategy aimed at encouraging increased participation such as; recycling campaigns, evaluating levels of participation and identifying areas which have low levels of support, presentations to local community groups and door stepping promotions etc.

Method Statement 10Verdant has considerable experience in the operation and management of Civic Amenity sites. The Company acknowledges that currently the operation of the CA sites is contracted to ECT and that there are a number of years to run.

It is difficult at this stage to provide proposals and costs for the operation of the CA sites without a specification detailing the Council’s requirements, aims and targets.

Verdant would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with the Council and look at providing proposals at a later date when more information is available.

The Company would:

Operate the sites to all ISO 9000, 14000 and 18000;

Operate the sites to the working plans and the E.A. licences;

Operate with no agency staff;

Improve the recycling rate;

Supply quality management information bulk to LBWF;

Improve site safety.

Method Statement 11Verdant acknowledges that the Council has set the following targets 33% by 31st March 2008 and 50% by March 2012. The existing service has provided the residents of the Borough with a regular service covering a wide range of materials and has enabled the Council to achieve a recycling rate above 20%. The introduction of the green and kitchen waste collection service to 36,000 households has also contributed towards the recycling rate.

As mentioned previously the nature of the Borough means that one service across the area will not work. It appears that participation is higher in the North and North Central areas of the Borough. The main reason for this is the type and nature of the housing stock and also the socio-economic differences that mean that many residents have different priorities.

As a result of this Verdant believes that as LBWF wishes to maintain a kerbside separation scheme that the existing recycling service is maintained. Improvements in participation will come through ensuring that the system is non-disruptive and that a comprehensive and continuous promotion and education campaign is introduced.

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Within the tender submission the Council has asked for prices for the introduction of a fortnightly domestic refuse collection, a weekly kitchen waste collection service, weekly dry recyclables collection and a fortnightly green waste collection, to be borough wide.

The basic resource table for this service is shown below. The recycling resources will be maintained as per Method Statement 7.

Round Drivers Loaders Total Service

RF1 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF2 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF3 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF4 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF5 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF6 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF7 1 2 3 Refuse and kitchenRF8 1 2 3 Domestic Narrow AccessRF9 1 2 3 Domestic Narrow AccessKG1 1 2 3 Green and KitchenKG2 1 2 3 Green and KitchenKG3 1 2 3 Green and KitchenKG4 1 2 3 Green and KitchenTotal 13 26 39

The proposals include for the use of split compartment RCVs to enable the collection of refuse and kitchen, and green and kitchen as a single pass but with the materials kept separate. Verdant would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with the Council.

As mentioned previously increasing rates of recycling can only be achieved through buy in from the residents. This has to be communicated to the residents clearly and as an on-going campaign. Verdant acknowledges that the Council has received funding from WRAP. For the purpose of achieving the targets set Verdant has as part of its indicative pricing for the options on 33% and 50% proposed the following.

The introduction of an Education and Enhancement Team, that is headed by the Manager outline in Method Statement 7. This team will be fully involved in promoting the services within the Borough and also in agreement with the Council undertaking any necessary enforcement.

As part of the 33% target it is proposed that the team consists of 4 staff that undertake targeted door stepping across the Borough.

As part of the 50% target it is proposed that the team consists of 8 staff that undertake targeted door stepping and enforcement across the Borough.

The team will undertake visits to areas prior to the recycling collection day to ensure that residents are aware of the timetable and to encourage participation.

The team will supply information to residents on why recycling is necessary, the materials that can be recycled and information with regard to waste minimisation.

The teams will undertake monitoring and provide report information to the Council and Verdant in order to plan the next campaigns and areas to be targeted.

These teams will also visit schools, colleges, community groups, housing groups etc to continually promote the recycling schemes operating within the Borough.

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The core aim of the team will be to stimulate residents interest in recycling and to increase participation across the Borough.

The use of this team means that the existing coverage of the Borough with the recycling service is maintained and that the core message of recycling and waste minimisation is constantly delivered.

Method Statement 13 outlines the change processes that are necessary to achieve the aims and targets of the Council. This involves the introduction of a Partnership Board. This board would steer the activities of the team based on information gathered to areas where significant results can be achieved quickly. The team can then re-visit areas where participation is already high but requires further promotion.

Continuous improvement will be monitored through performance related indicators which would be agreed with the Council. In the event that a Partnership Board was introduced continuous improvement would be one of the main agenda points at every meeting, this would include new services, development of existing services, efficiency savings.

Method Statement 12Verdant has two distinct customer groups; firstly the officers/members representing LBWF and secondly the residents and business of the Borough. Both groups deserve and will receive care in the delivery of services contracted for, and this is encapsulated in the following statements.

Verdant will put our customers first by:

Making contact with customers and listening carefully to their comments, responding appropriately to these issues;

Advising customers about the services to be provided and advising of any changes that affect them; Verdant will keep all appointments in response to customers requests; Answering all telephone calls promptly; Maintaining a log of complaints and divulging this information to interested parties upon request; Maintaining communication systems such as fax, telephones and email facilities to ensure that we are

contactable at all times; Continue to make and maintain arrangements for those who have special needs such as the aged,

infirmed or disabled to ensure the quality of service to all members of the community.

Verdant aims to:

Monitor our performance to ensure that services are providing the Best Value for all our stakeholders; Keep all our customers updated and well informed about new services and developments in order to

provide the most comprehensive service at all times; Adapt to the constantly developing localised environments that we work within.

Verdant is aware that stakeholder involvement and participation is essential in gauging public opinion and providing all sections of the community with a first class service at all times.

Verdant considers the view of its clients, stakeholders and suppliers as an important tool in offering value for money and service delivery.

The Company services an entire spectrum of people from a whole range of socio-economic backgrounds throughout the scope of the client portfolio, and to this end Verdant is always mindful of differing customer needs.

Regardless of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability Verdant treats all requests for information, advice, or other such requests in a courteous, non-discriminate and fair manner at all times.

Verdant Group Plc is committed to providing the highest levels of service delivery at all times, at the same time it is also Verdant’s policy to provide a safe and environmentally friendly service to both its own workforce and the public at large.

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All staff are trained to be courteous, polite and helpful at all times. It is of the utmost importance that all operatives are trained to deal with these situations in an effective and diplomatic manner.

From time to time this strict and very high standard is not met as a result of issues that cannot be foreseen and minimised through procedural adherence. Upon receipt of any complaint, any rectification that is required will be actioned and an immediate investigation will be undertaken to identify the nature of the complaint, recommendations for improvement and implementation of any corrective action.

In the event that complaints are received directly by operational staff, each complaint will be logged and full details will be taken with regard to the location, nature, date, and time of the complaint.

A senior member of staff, usually the Operations Manager or Supervisor, will be tasked to fully investigate the complaint through interviews with all relevant parties and site visits if applicable. During the investigation it may be necessary to call upon specific technical staff in order to inspect equipment or procedures currently in place. Once the investigation is complete the findings will be presented Operations Director and recommendations will be drawn up.

These recommendations will be implemented through procedural structures to ensure that the problem or point of contention does not arise in any the future instances.

Throughout the investigation the complainant will be kept informed of progress. Once investigations have been completed and recommendations have been made, the complainant will be informed of the outcome and the appropriate action taken. Feedback is encouraged on the way the complaint was handled so that the process can evolve, and improve if necessary.

Appendix 7 shows the diagram outlining the complaints procedure.

Method Statement 13The success of any service is the ability to monitor performance and to makes changes when necessary to ensure continuous improvement. Verdant proposes the adoption of a “Partnership Board”.

The Board would meet regularly consisting of Members and Officers of the London Borough of Waltham Forest and senior managers and directors from Verdant. The aims of the Board would be as follows:

To Monitor Service Performance To be Innovative To be Proactive To Ensure Partnership To Resolve Differences To Review Partnering Performance To Report on Performance

Appendix 8 shows an example of a Partnership Charter that could be used as the basis for the Partnership and also a continuous improvement forum.

The board would agree any changes that were necessary to ensure that services are continually improving and developing. These changes may driven through the changing needs of the Council, residents and other stakeholders, legislation, compliance and funding etc.

Once any changes are agreed then an implementation plan would be developed and responsibility allocated to a senior manager. The implementation plan would be similar in principle to the mobilisation plan outlined in Method Statement 1.

As part of Verdant’s quality accreditation a change management process is in place, this is shown in Appendix 9.

Changes that have been brought about through a variation in the Council’s policies would need to be discussed as this could have cost implications that are beyond control of the service provider.

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When changes are implemented that effect the residents, then a programme of publicity would be agreed.

Method Statement 14Best Value adopts a philosophy, which ensures that the pressure to supply only the cheapest waste management solution is removed, allowing LBWF and their Contractor to concentrate on providing better quality services.

Best Value is not an end in itself, but a means to an end; an increase in improved effectiveness and efficiency leading to continuous improvements in service quality and cost effectiveness.

Verdant will take a keen approach to ensuring that the LBWF achieves Best Value, and shall work closely with the Council in accordance with Best Value reviews, which will be supported by Senior Managers who will be available to participate in all review meetings.

Best value requires authorities to make continuous improvements in the way they exercise their functions, having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Best value performance indicators (BVPIs) are the benchmark against which best value authorities performance is judged, both at the corporate and service delivery levels.

In working in partnership with the LBWF, Verdant realises that local performance indicators are also critical to the success of the operation and to achieving Best Value. Such performance indicators should be quantitative and qualitative and indicate levels of performance or achievement towards an objective.

The BVPI’s should be based upon a realistic level, which would be adjusted at agreed intervals during the contract period.

The Company would expect that much of the information required for an annual review would in fact be provided on a monthly basis.

It is expected that through the Best Value review identification of potential savings and efficiency gains will be highlighted.

Verdant operates many of its contracts in partnership with its existing clients. The degree of partnership working is partly determined by the age and style of the Contract, although all recent contract awards are very much focussed on a more open and progressive approach from all parties.

The Company welcomes this approach to doing business and would bring a refreshingly open approach to developing a successful partnership with LBWF.

Verdant would be prepared to also undertake an annual performance survey (in conjunction with the Council’s Client and Recycling Officers) to ascertain satisfaction levels for the services. We have undertaken detailed surveys similar to this for our clients at Melton and Chiltern with great success.

Verdant would look to agree with the Council the key aims and objectives of commissioning this type of survey.

Through Verdant’s previous experience of coordinating this type of survey the Company has identified that it is vital to ensure that content is specifically agreed, with questions that are aimed at obtaining the correct information.

Verdant have commissioned previous surveys that have involved detailed analysis aimed at identifying the reasons behind recycling habits, and what factors encourage and discourage households from recycling more of their waste.

This has allowed Verdant and its clients to implement initiatives that have positively increased recycling in the areas that need it most.

Verdant would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues further with the LBWF.

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total waste arisings since 1998

0.00

2,000.00

4,000.00

6,000.00

8,000.00

10,000.00

12,000.00

14,000.00

16,000.00

18,000.00

20,000.00

22,000.00

1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

tonn

es

landfilled dry recycling compost

Verdant’s excellent client-contractor relationship experience has been fostered through the development of a series of new and innovative service changes. These experiences have resulted in the development of extremely comprehensive and accurate data capture methods.

Verdant provide its client officers with a weekly report on refuse and recycling performance and a monthly report to both officers and members on current service performance year to date. These reports by design offer a bespoke solution to the specific information needs and circumstances of the individual contract.

The Company’s detailed record keeping and analysis will provide the LBWF with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and/or annual snapshots of recycling performance. Each recyclable commodity’s performance can be illustrated to compare against forecasts, previous years performance, and monitored year to date. This measures the impact of service enhancements and is valuable evidence when determining the extent of a new scheme’s success.

The graph below is an example and shows the proportions of waste to landfill since 1998. Again, this is useful in determining how successful this particular scheme has been. The impact of an alternate weekly collection can be seen at a glance with the amount landfilled down by over a 1,000 tonnes.

Verdant would like to draw the Council’s attention to Appendix 10 Quality Management Systems, which will provide greater detail of how the service will be monitored and through continuous improvement, establish year on year enhancement on service provision.

The Company would agree daily/weekly/monthly and annual KPIs with LBWF and these would be submitted on time. These would be reviewed regularly both and locally and if taken by the Partnership Board.

Method Statement 15Business Continuity Planning

Verdant has outlined below potential incidents that may necessitate the implementation of the tools required to ensure business continuity during the life of the Contract.

Vehicle Breakdowns

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In the event of vehicle breakdowns, there will be spare vehicles available at all times, in the event of more than one breakdown, additional resources can be drawn from either approved hire companies and/or a spare vehicle from a neighbouring depot.

Staff Availability

In the event of unplanned absences, a number of pool staff will be employed on the Contract, and in extreme cases additional resources can be drafted in through a number of approved temporary staff agencies.

A staff availability schedule will list all employees including operations staff, drivers and loading operatives that are available for out-of-hours emergency response. This will include nights and weekends if applicable. If necessary, Verdant will draw on additional staff resources from various locations.

Fuel Supply

Verdant will further ensure that there is a sufficient reserve of fuel in case of fuel shortages, and shall maintain a priority suppliers list as a backup.

In the event that bulk fuel facilities being available at any proposed depot emergency fuel cards will be kept at the depot to enable vehicles to be fuelled at local filling stations should there be supply problems at the designated depot.

Infrastructure Availability

In the case of a depot fire, Verdant will provide immediate operating cover from their neighbouring contracts until the site can be cleared, prior to contract start agreement will be reached with local businesses to ensure that alternative depot facilities can be made available e.g. Bywaters of Leyton

Verdant would look to develop relationships with suppliers that can provide alternative servicing arrangements locally. A priority list of sites, servicing facilities, fuel sites will be issued to staff with regard to alternative arrangements should these be necessary.

IT Back Up

As part of normal depot procedure the computer system will be backed up on a daily basis and a copy kept off site. In the event of system failure additional computers can be sourced from head office in Sevenoaks and also via the Company’s approved IT services supplier based in the South East.

Extreme Weather and Civil Emergencies

In the event that severe climatic conditions make normal collection/cleansing schedules impossible to complete Verdant will liaise with the Council and await instruction from the Authorised Officer on the appropriate course of action.

In the event of a civil emergency Verdant would liaise with the Council to agree the distribution of staff and resources to support any clean-up operation.Transferring Staff

Verdant has developed extensive experience of managing and implementing successful TUPE transfers, even during potentially difficult processes where not all staff transferred from the incumbent contractor. In the event of problems encountered Verdant would draw on this experience to ensure a smooth transition.

Should the Council request more detail regarding the Company’s experience of TUPE processes Verdant would be more then happy to provide extra information.

Please see appendix 11 for a working example of Verdant’s business continuity plan.

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Method Statement 16The Verdant proposals have allowed have taken into account the Council’s offer for contractors to use the existing Low Hall Depot, as the operating centre for the provision of the services.

Verdant can confirm that it would utilise the following facilities: Offices; Parking; Wash down.

Verdant has assumed that a joint dilapidations inspection will take place and that any issues arising will be rectified prior to the handing over of the depot facility.

Should the Council plan to re-locate the depot to another single site, Verdant would work with the Council to secure an alternative location for the depot, taking into account the access for the manual and office staff and the potential use and availability of public transport.

The use of the Low Hall Depot will allow us the opportunity to maintain a close working relationship with the Council’s Client Staff and ensure good communications are established.

Verdant have a number of options for vehicle maintenance which we would like to discuss further with the Council.

This may include making use of the current maintenance facilities provided by the Council’s vehicle maintenance services, or possibly the provision of local vehicle maintenance facilities provided and operated by Verdant.

Method Statement 17The ethos of the Company is based upon providing realistic sustainable solutions that are deliverable within an affordability range.

Sustainability is driven from many angles not least the desire to lesson the impact that providing municipal services has on the environment.

Key commitment from the outset is required to enable procurement decisions to be made on possible new or unproven technology. Verdant are continually trialling new equipment to improve operational and environmental performance. Environmental Policy

The Board of Directors of Verdant Group Plc recognise the importance of sound environmental management at all levels of the organisation and is committed to developing a business that provides environmentally beneficial services to its customers. They are also committed to a dynamic continuous improvement programme to minimise the Company’s adverse environmental impacts arising from its operations.

The significant beneficial environmental impacts associated with the company’s operations relate to:

Efficient collection of other’s waste Recycling of certain waste materials Street & Beach Cleansing and grounds maintenance

Potentially significant adverse environmental impacts arise from:

Transportation Handling of waste Storage of hazardous materials such as fuel oil

Our objectives are to:

Expand our services which have beneficial environmental impacts, and

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To manage the causes of the adverse impacts, reducing their effects to the minimum practicably possible, based upon changes brought about by political, legislative, economic and technological stimuli.

It is our policy to: Comply with all legislative requirements as a minimum, but where practicably

possible, to exceed these requirements Introduce all necessary controls to ensure as far as practicably possible, that the risk

of pollution of air, water and land environments is minimised Increase business efficiency and to minimise waste production across the company Use energy efficiently Be proactive in response to complaints from service stakeholders, neighbours and

other interested parties Be committed to awareness and training programmes so that all employees

understand the impact of their activities, or their omissions, on the environment Consider the environmental performance of our key suppliers prior to making

purchasing decisions.

In order to demonstrate the company’s commitment, an environmental management system to the ISO 14001 standard has been developed.

We recognise the role our employees and key suppliers need to play in achieving our environmental objectives and welcome feedback on meeting our continual improvement pledge.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors:Position: Executive ChairmanDate: 14th July 2003

Appendix 12 outlines the Company’s environmental management process including the sustainability action plan.

Method Statement 18Verdant have considerable experience in the provision of recycling services and the marketing of the resulting materials.

We will draw from our experience and expertise and ensure that in partnership with the Council, the most competitive prices are achieved for the sale of the materials.

Due to the fluctuations in market prices, it would not be in the best interest of the Council to provide fixed contract prices before contract award as these would not be the most competitive prices available from the reprocessors and materials outlets as this would be achieved through contract negotiation.

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Therefore, In our tender submission, Verdant have provided indicative prices and in conjunction with the Council, we would use our long term association with companies and seek to enter into negotiations with preferred outlets and re-processors for fixed long term agreements for the sale of materials collected.

Verdant firmly believe that this is the best method of ensuring the Council achieves the best and most competitive rates for its materials and agrees with the way in which the values are fixed.

The rates shown in the pricing schedule are not fixed and would need to be reviewed regularly.

Method Statement 19Verdant understands from the specification that there are effectively two nominated sub-contractors that will be operating within the realms of the overall contract. ECT operating the two CA sites and Building Services who collect the clinical waste.

The tender price put forward includes one full time manager who will be responsible for managing the two nominated sub-contractors.

The role will include liaising on a daily basis with the sub-contractors staff to ensure the following:

All work schedules are completed on time; All sites are kept open at all times for members of the public; All contract requirements are met; Compliance with health and safety; Environmental compliance; All information requirements are completed.

The manager will meet regularly with senior staff from each sub-contractor and LBWF officers to review performance levels and agree any action plans.

It would be Verdant’s intention to mirror the management of these sub-contractors in line with the Contracts that the Council has with these currently.

It has been assumed as per information received during the tender process that in instances where performance has not been achieved any defaults will be issued direct from the Council to the nominated sub-contractor.

Verdant would agree with the sub-contractors a serious of local performance indicators to ensure that the services are maintained in line with the Council’s expectations. In order to promote innovation regular meetings will be held to establish ways in which the services can be developed further.

All sub-contractors will be managed in line with Verdant’s quality standards.

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