Pioneering alliance in environmental services

Outsourcing is now a well-establish way for local government and other public and private bodies to improve the services they deliver whilst at the same time controlling costs over the lifetime of a long-term partnership. The UK government’s vision is to take this model one step further through a new generation of Strategic Service Delivery Partnerships. These will involve ‘bundles’ of related services being taken over and operated by public-private partnerships. By ‘aggregating’ a wide-ranging group of services under this innovative form of contract, local authorities simplify contractual arrangements, reduce overheads and realise economies of scale.

Taking the long-term view of service delivery
1 September 2003 saw the launch of one of the UK’s first Strategic Delivery Partnerships, with the formation of Herefordshire Jarvis Services, a new joint venture company with has taken over the running of Herefordshire Council’s Commercial Services division. The new company will deliver a wide range of services, from road repairs, street cleaning and recycling, to providing school meals, managing and maintaining council buildings. The partnership is scheduled to run for 20 years.

Experience and technology
The Herefordshire contract mobilises the combined strength of the entire Jarvis group, from highways and fleet management expertise, to extensive facilities management and construction know-how, IT services and business process expertise. Herefordshire Jarvis Services will also be responsible for managing a number of key subcontractors to deliver best value and high quality services to the people of Herefordshire.

As part of the contract, Jarvis is introducing a range of cutting-edge, innovative technologies to provide better, quicker and more cost-effective services. For example, a fleet of the latest-generation road service vehicles will be introduced to make sure that all staff can work safely and comfortably, no matter how remote their worksite.

Local benefits
Speaking as the contract was finalised, Graham Dunhill, Herefordshire Council’s Director of Environment, underlined its importance and the benefits it will bring to community: “Jarvis has a strong reputation not only for technical expertise in respect of the services involved but also for its work ethic, and this deal is good news for the people of Herefordshire”.

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Factfile

• The Herefordshire contract covers:
  • highways and traffic services
  • civic and school catering
  • grounds maintenance
  • street and building cleaning
  • recycling facilities
  • building management and maintenance
  • a range of other support services
  
  
• 512 council staff have transferred to Herefordshire Jarvis Services, with their terms and conditions of employment protected under the government’s TUPE regulations