URL: https://democracy.dacorum.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2551

Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Council operates an in-house waste service that collects residual waste, recycling, food waste and garden/green waste from domestic properties as well as operating a commercial waste service to businesses within the borough.   The entire road going fleet for Waste Services consists of 38x vehicles ranging from 3.5t delivery vehicles through to 26t Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV). In total the Council operates 25x 26t RCVs which are combination of single back with split (six) and trade bin lifts (five) and twin back with split bin lifts (14).   The first 11x 26t RCV (all single back) are now 6 years old and with long lead times for RCV it is imperative the Council moves forward now with placing orders to replace vehicles.   A consideration when replacing the fleet is has been access. When Hemel Hempstead was designed, the volume of car ownership was never envisaged and accordingly properties were not designed with driveways.   With car ownership in Hemel Hempstead seemingly increasing crews are encountering more and more access issues – from November 2024 to October 2025, 665 streets were reported by crews as being inaccessible due to access issues, which means multiple properties on these streets were not collected on the correct day, and arrangements had to be made to revisit (where capacity allowed) putting increasing pressure on crews and operations, as well as leading to complaints from residents.   Additionally, Dacorum has a relatively high volume of properties in rural villages, which have their own challenges for a 26t RCV.   The points highlighted above, have been considered by the service (and following feedback from drivers) when specifying new replacement vehicles. Overwhelmingly feedback from drivers has been to seek vehicles that are narrower than the current fleet. Only one manufacturer provides such a vehicle, which is Dennis Eagle, and they have vehicles that meet our requirements for the first 11 replacement RCV.   Using the The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) NEPO224 Framework Agreement a direct award can be made (and has been used by other authorities). The rationale for direct award is set out above.   All vehicles are budgeted for with the Fleet Replacement Capital Programme.   Officer recommend vehicles will be procured in standard white colour in readiness for Local Government Reorganisation.

Content: The Council operates an in-house waste service that collects residual waste, recycling, food waste and garden/green waste from domestic properties as well as operating a commercial waste service to businesses within the borough.   The entire road going fleet for Waste Services consists of 38x vehicles ranging from 3.5t delivery vehicles through to 26t Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV). In total the Council operates 25x 26t RCVs which are combination of single back with split (six) and trade bin lifts (five) and twin back with split bin lifts (14).   The first 11x 26t RCV (all single back) are now 6 years old and with long lead times for RCV it is imperative the Council moves forward now with placing orders to replace vehicles.   A consideration when replacing the fleet is has been access. When Hemel Hempstead was designed, the volume of car ownership was never envisaged and accordingly properties were not designed with driveways.   With car ownership in Hemel Hempstead seemingly increasing crews are encountering more and more access issues – from November 2024 to October 2025, 665 streets were reported by crews as being inaccessible due to access issues, which means multiple properties on these streets were not collected on the correct day, and arrangements had to be made to revisit (where capacity allowed) putting increasing pressure on crews and operations, as well as leading to complaints from residents.   Additionally, Dacorum has a relatively high volume of properties in rural villages, which have their own challenges for a 26t RCV.   The points highlighted above, have been considered by the service (and following feedback from drivers) when specifying new replacement vehicles. Overwhelmingly feedback from drivers has been to seek vehicles that are narrower than the current fleet. Only one manufacturer provides such a vehicle, which is Dennis Eagle, and they have vehicles that meet our requirements for the first 11 replacement RCV.   Using the The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) NEPO224 Framework Agreement a direct award can be made (and has been used by other authorities). The rationale for direct award is set out above.   All vehicles are budgeted for with the Fleet Replacement Capital Programme.   Officer recommend vehicles will be procured in standard white colour in readiness for Local Government Reorganisation. The Council operates an in-house waste service that collects residual waste, recycling, food waste and garden/green waste from domestic properties as well as operating a commercial waste service to businesses within the borough.   The entire road going fleet for Waste Services consists of 38x vehicles ranging from 3.5t delivery vehicles through to 26t Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV). In total the Council operates 25x 26t RCVs which are combination of single back with split (six) and trade bin lifts (five) and twin back with split bin lifts (14).   The first 11x 26t RCV (all single back) are now 6 years old and with long lead times for RCV it is imperative the Council moves forward now with placing orders to replace vehicles.   A consideration when replacing the fleet is has been access. When Hemel Hempstead was designed, the volume of car ownership was never envisaged and accordingly properties were not designed with driveways.   With car ownership in Hemel Hempstead seemingly increasing crews are encountering more and more access issues – from November 2024 to October 2025, 665 streets were reported by crews as being inaccessible due to access issues, which means multiple properties on these streets were not collected on the correct day, and arrangements had to be made to revisit (where capacity allowed) putting increasing pressure on crews and operations, as well as leading to complaints from residents.   Additionally, Dacorum has a relatively high volume of properties in rural villages, which have their own challenges for a 26t RCV.   The points highlighted above, have been considered by the service (and following feedback from drivers) when specifying new replacement vehicles. Overwhelmingly feedback from drivers has been to seek vehicles that are narrower than the current fleet. Only one manufacturer provides such a vehicle, which is Dennis Eagle, and they have vehicles that meet our requirements for the first 11 replacement RCV.   Using the The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) NEPO224 Framework Agreement a direct award can be made (and has been used by other authorities). The rationale for direct award is set out above.   All vehicles are budgeted for with the Fleet Replacement Capital Programme.   Officer recommend vehicles will be procured in standard white colour in readiness for Local Government Reorganisation.  

Date of Decision: January 13, 2026