New waste company won't affect services say Council

New arrangements for waste collections will not affect the level of service residents receive.

High Peak Borough Council made this pledge as it announced it has agreed in principle to establish a joint venture partnership with its strategic alliance partner Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Ansa - a subsidiary of Cheshire East Council - to deliver waste collection, street cleaning, grounds maintenance and fleet management services.

Across High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands, these services currently cost £8.2m - and savings of over £1m are expected as a result of the new arrangements.

Council Leader, Councillor Tony Ashton, said: "As always, we have had the provision of effective and efficient services for our residents and businesses at the forefront of our minds.

"We believe that this innovative partnership, which will save £1.2m, offers the best value for money whilst safeguarding these essential services which people rely on.

"A key part of ensuring the success of the new company is ensuring the workforce is aware of and understands the changes and we are engaging with staff at every stage of this process."

Councillor John Haken, Executive Councillor for Operational Services, said: "I want to reassure residents by saying very clearly that they will not experience any reduction in the level of service as a result of a different company collecting their waste.

"Thanks to the efforts of people across the High Peak we have seen an increase in the number of people recycling their waste at a time when rates nationally are falling. We want to see recycling rates continue to rise and we will be working closely with Ansa to ensure that we see improvements to both service and recycling performance."

It is anticipated that the new company will take over services when the current contract with Veolia ends in August and more information will be provided for residents in advance.