A new multi-million pound contact has been approved by South Hams District Council for recycling, waste and cleansing services enabling the council to save over £3m over the life of the contract and improving our environmental impact.

The council says the new services will be delivered to a high standard from April 1, next as part of a new partnership agreement with a private company.

South Hams has provided these services through the council’s own workforce for many years.

The decision was made following a tendering process lasting almost two years. This included market testing, giving full consideration to every single element of the current services to ensure best value and best quality for residents, said the council.

The staff who currently collect the waste and recycling and clean the district will transfer to the new partner company, whose name will be announced on December 18, following the formal 10-day legal “standstill” period.

The council says it has ensured that its "valued workforce" will continue to provide services with protected terms and conditions and without the need for redundancies.

The future service will offer householders the opportunity to recycle even more of our household waste from the kerbside from September 2020, says the council.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, executive member for commercial services, said: “We have been listening to what residents wanted – more items being recycled and a continued focus on keeping our beautiful district clean and this will be delivered through the new arrangement at a better price. This new contract will enable us to continue improving recycling and street services throughout the term of the contract.”