With picture taken at Dennis Eagle factory in Warwickshire (left to right): David Marsh, Waste Management Team Manager, EFDC; David Ward, Managing Director, Terra Verde Services (TVS); James Warwick, Service Director (Contracts, Partnerships & Procurement) EFDC; Richard Taylor, Sales & Marketing Director, Dennis Eagle; Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) has announced a new partnership with contract hire and fleet management company Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS), following the award of an 8-year contract for the provision & maintenance of a new fleet of waste and recycling vehicles, which commences on 4 November 2024.

Earlier this year the council announced the plan to cease its arrangement with Biffa and bring its waste and recycling collection service back in-house to be operated by EFDC’s new wholly owned company Terra Verde Services (TVS). 

The new 52-vehicle fleet will comprise 30x 26t Refuse Collection Vehicles provided by Dennis Eagle plus additional support fleet including sweepers, tippers, and vans. SFS will have responsibility for the maintenance of the fleet, which will take place at the council’s new environmental operations hub at North Weald Airfield. 

Over 100 existing members of staff from Biffa will be TUPE transferred across to TVS to continue in their roles operating the vehicles. SFS will be recruiting additional staff to carry out fleet management and maintenance.  No rubbish or waste will be brought or stored on the airfield. The depot will provide storage, maintenance and fuelling for the new fleet, which can run on diesel or a carbon neutral alternative Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

Cllr Ray Balcombe, Contracts, Service Delivery, and Improvement Portfolio Holder at EFDC said:

"I am thrilled about our new partnership with SFS and pleased with the progress of Terra Verde Services (TVS).
 
“Waste collection is a vital service, and it's clear that there have been challenges in the past, which have affected our residents. This partnership offers EFDC greater flexibility. Utilizing the SFS fleet is not only more cost-effective but also allows us to adapt the vehicles according to the evolving needs of the service.
 
“The establishment of TVS gives control back to EFDC to ensure the highest quality service for our community.”

To ensure a smooth roll out of the new service SFS will be delivering vehicles from the beginning of October ahead of the November start date.

Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS said: 

“This is the first time we have worked with Epping Forest District Council and we are thrilled to be brought on board at the beginning of this exciting new era for the council’s waste and recycling service provision. We are confident that we are the right partner to keep the council’s fleet running smoothly and efficiently, and we look forward to helping the council deliver sustained improvements to the service.”

SFS celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2023 and has an extensive track record in delivering fleet and workshop management solutions to local authorities across the UK. The company runs a nationwide network of workshops and operates its own specialist vehicle hire division, CTS Hire, for the provision of short to medium term municipal vehicles.

For more information about Specialist Fleet Services tel: 01604 234601 or email [email protected].

ENDS.