A new company is collecting bins across the whole of East Suffolk and delivering other district council services.

East Suffolk Services Limited is now officially trading, delivering a range of operational services on behalf of East Suffolk Council.

It has replaced a contract the council had with Norse Group to deliver services that came finished at the end of last month.

The council says as part of its commitment to seek the best possible value for money for residents, businesses and all local stakeholders it agreed to create a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) in the autumn of 2021.

It said the LATCo would enable the new venture to play a more direct and influential role in how important services are delivered.

East Suffolk Services Limited operates as an ‘arms-length’ commercial business, separate to the council and is now responsible for delivering crucial services such as waste and recycling collection, grounds maintenance and street cleansing.

Operational staff have transferred to the new organisation through ‘protection under law’ TUPE legislation, helping to ensure as seamless a transition as possible.  

Caroline Topping, leader of East Suffolk Council said: “The council wants to deliver improvement that benefits council taxpayers, and an incredible amount of hard work has gone into the creation of East Suffolk Services to ensure it is ready to commence trading.

"East Suffolk Services aims to provide a more flexible service and respond quickly to local issues.

“I would like to thank officers and councillors for all their efforts to get us to this point and I would also like to wish the Norse Group well for the future as our relationship with them draws to a close.”

Cassandra Clements was appointed as managing director for the new company in April 2022 and has worked together with the council to help deliver the transition.