Norwich City Council promises an improved service

City Care's contract is set to end in March 2010

DAVID BALE
20 November 2009 06:30



Council bosses today pledged that the new companies responsible for cleaning our streets, collecting bins and repairing local authority homes from next April will provide better services for the people of Norwich.

Norwich City Council has announced a new team to take over the work currently carried out by its controversial main contractor CityCare, whose role comes to an end on March 31.

Alan Waters, the council's executive member for corporate resources and governance, said: "I'm very confident people are going to see good, strong services and I pledge taxpayers will get better services.

"When the new contracts begin on April 1, a very skilled and experienced workforce will transfer across, who will very much be the public face of the delivery of vital council services to Norwich residents."

The council has awarded contracts, ranging from three to seven years and worth £30m, to four new suppliers.

The main contract has gone to Connaught Partnerships, which will be in charge of grounds maintenance, waste, refuse and recycling, and council housing repairs, maintenance and improvement, among others.

Morrison Facilities Services will be responsible for building maintenance and street cleansing while Kier Support Services will be in charge of electrical and mechanical services.

Norse Commercial Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk County Council, will be responsible for multistorey car park cleaning.

CityCare, which currently works alongside Lovell to provide services, landed its contract with the city council in 2000. Mr Waters could not guarantee there would be no job losses, but said CityCare would work with the new contractors to transfer workers into the appropriate areas.

"The key point is that citizens and taxpayers of Norwich are going to get a very good deal out of this - a strong workforce providing excellent services."

Antony Little, Tory leader at City Hall, said he was pleased the process had managed to get efficiency savings, which would lead to a better level of services at lower costs.

He said: "However, we have some concerns about the number of potential different companies for different works, and that it could potentially create some confusion among the public. But as long as the council keeps on top of that, I think it's a good move."

Liberal Democrat councillor Judith Lubbock said: "Getting it right first time is what all Norwich residents want from their council services and I hope that the new contracts will do just that."

Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party leader at City Hall, said they would have preferred to have seen the services run directly by the council.

Ü Are you happy with the measures the city council has brought in to provide its services? Write to Evening News letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

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