Borough waste and recycling services to become council-run operation

WASTE and recycling services across the borough are to be transferred back to Barrow Borough Council from October 10. The move takes place ahead of a reorganisation of local government across…

WASTE and recycling services across the borough are to be transferred back to Barrow Borough Council from October 10.

The move takes place ahead of a reorganisation of local government across Cumbria, which will see a new council - Westmorland and Furness Council - providing all services in the area from April 1 next year.

Residents of the borough are being offered reassurance that they do not have to do anything differently when waste and recycling services become a council-run operation once more.

Householders should continue to place their waste bin or recycling out on their usual collection days.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: "A huge amount of work has been ongoing between both the council and FCC Environment, our waste and recycling contractor, to prepare for this transition back to a council-run service.

"This is so that the change is as seamless as possible. People won't need to do anything differently.

"Please put bins and recycling out as normal. The service will simply be operated directly by the council from October 10 onwards."

FCC Environment has carried out waste and recycling collections on behalf of Barrow Borough Council since 2017 as well as providing a street cleansing service.

The firm also operates the borough's Garden Waste Club. Garden waste collection is a non-statutory council service. Therefore, there will be no change to this when the service is transferred to the council and it will continue to operate as a service open to subscribers in line with a majority of local authorities across the country.

This is so users of the service continue to contribute towards its running costs - and residents who don't require garden waste collection do not have to pay.

Consultation has been ongoing between Barrow Borough Council and staff at FCC Environment, who will transfer under TUPE to the authority as part of the service transition.

The ending of the waste services contract with FCC was mutually and amicably agreed ahead of the start of Westmorland and Furness Council next year. The new council will provide all services in the area currently covered by Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council, Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council.

Councillor Thomson added: “Our priority as a council is to provide excellent services for residents.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in bringing the waste and recycling service in house and to residents for their support for our teams as they do their best to deliver.”

ENDS

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to bring the service ‘in house’?

Waste and recycling services are currently carried out by an external contractor on behalf of the council. From October 10, the council will instead operate the service directly.

Why is this happening?

A new council called Westmorland and Furness Council will be created from April next year and will provide all services for this area.

Bringing the service back in house will make things simpler for all residents when this happens.

Will I have to do anything differently?

No. We are working hard to ensure the transition is seamless for our residents and businesses.

Please put your bin and recycling out on your usual day - collections will be the same as usual.

What about recycling? Will the same items be recycled?

The same list of items will be recycled by the council, this won’t change.

For more information about what can be placed in your recycling, please check your recycling leaflet or visit:

What will happen to the Garden Waste Club?

This will continue with no change. Please continue to place your garden waste out on your usual collection day.

Garden waste collections are a non-statutory service. In line with the majority of local authorities across the country, a small charge is made for those who want their garden waste collected to cover the cost of providing this service.

This is so that householders in the borough who don’t have a garden do not have to pay towards the service as part of their council tax.

What will happen to the staff who have been carrying out the service until now?

Staff working for FCC will be transferred to the council under TUPE regulations.

Consultation and dialogue has been taking place with those affected by the transfer of the service to make sure the move goes smoothly from October 10.

Will there be any disruption?

We hope not and we’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure the transfer is seamless for our residents and businesses.

Waste and recycling collection services are complex to operate, and inevitably things can happen that are beyond our control but which may cause some slight disruption - for instance, if parked cars make a street temporarily inaccessible to the collection vehicles.

We will endeavour to keep everyone informed of any disruptions and would ask people to please bear with us if these do occur.

How do I contact the council about my waste or recycling collection?

Visit our website for helpful information about waste and recycling services. You can also contact the team directly from here.

Alternatively, you can call our customer service team on 01229 876543.