The Chairman introduced the report and the Head of Direct Services presented the report which outlined the recommendations for the fleet requirements for statutory waste collection and associated services over the following 5 years.

A new approach was sought in the report that fell within the Council’s 10 year balanced budget. To ensure that SDC could replace its oldest and most vulnerable vehicles quickly, while also taking into account delivery lead times, for 2023-2024 the Council would be leasing five 26tonne Refuse Collection Vehicles. These would be in service from June 2023.

The lease would run for three years and would cost £324,000 per year for all five vehicles and would be paid for from the current Vehicle Reserve allocation for years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2026-27. In 2027-2028 the five leased vehicles would be purchased at a cost of £625,000. In 2028-2029 further vehicles would be identified for replacement and leased in the same way. Over these 5-years the balance of the Vehicle Reserve would be used to purchase smaller fleet vehicles, which would be electric whenever possible.

Members considered the report.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that the 5 Year Fleet Replacement Programme 2023-28 as detailed in the report be considered and approved.