East Suffolk Council’s local authority trading company is now in operation

A Suffolk council has set up a new business to take over services such as bin collections.

East Suffolk Services Limited, a local authority trading company (LATCo) under East Suffolk Council, is now officially operating.

The ‘arms-length’ company will run separately to the council, delivering waste and recycling collection, grounds maintenance and street cleansing.

Cllr Caroline Topping, leader of East Suffolk Council, said: “East Suffolk Services aims to provide a more flexible service and respond quickly to local issues. The council wants to deliver improvement that benefits council taxpayers.”

East Suffolk Norse controlled waste management in the region until the end of last week, when the contract came to an end. This was jointly owned by East Suffolk Council and Norse Commercial Services.

Staff from Norse have moved over to East Suffolk Services, and the council assures residents that services will not be impacted by the transition.

Cllr Rachel Smith-Lyte, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for the environment, commented: “The decision to create East Suffolk Services was taken in part to help us deliver environmental changes, such as new fuels, more efficient vehicles and different approaches to waste management.”

The council agreed to form the LATCo in autumn 2021, with the aim of playing a more direct role in how important services are delivered.

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.

She said: “While we are focused on the core bundle of services which communities in East Suffolk rely on, we will also proactively seek business growth opportunities which will provide increased job security and benefit council taxpayers.”