The performance of the county’s new recycling contractor was raised at this month’s full council meeting.
Cllr. Martin Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) criticised Plan B’s performance since they took over the waste and recycling contract from Kier in April 2024.
He would have “expected an improvement….as they (Plan B) attempt to make a name for themselves”, but there have been scores of missed collections across the county, as well as operational problems at community recycling centres.
Cllr. Williams asked for assurances that Plan B was meeting its contractual obligations and, if they weren’t, would BCBC consider levying fines/financial penalties for non-performance – as they’re allowed to do under the contract?
Furthermore, does the fact that BCBC owns the recycling vehicle fleet allow Plan B to hide behind that to excuse its poor performance?
Council Leader, Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central), didn’t think the vehicle ownership issue prevented the council from holding Plan B to account. Plan B is also required under the contract to fund repairs to vehicles up to a certain value.
Although the written response hasn’t been publicised, Cllr. Spanswick’s answer in the council chamber suggests that BCBC have penalised Plan B for poor performance in some way.
He told councillors that the contractor would continue to be penalised if they fail to meet expectations as set out in the contract.
