A private company could be awarded Brent Council’s entire public realm contract in a move which town hall bosses claim could save £14.9million.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Cllr Muhammed ButtCllr Muhammed Butt (Image: Archant)

Veolia ES (UK) which is already responsible for the borough’s recycling collections and street cleaning, will also take on winter gritting, refuse collection, grounds maintenance in parks, grave digging and commercial waste collection if their bid is successful.

The company are the sole contenders for the contract after Enterprise Managed Services Ltd withdrew from the two-year procurement process.

The winning bid will receive a nine-year contract starting in April 2014 with an option to extend it for another seven years.

The council claims if Veolia wins its £17.4m annual spend on public realm services will be slashed by £1.3m in 2014 and £1.7m annually thereafter resulting in a £14.9mi saving over nine years.

The total contract is worth £142m.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Brent Council leader, told the Times he hopes to achieve the rise in savings by encouraging residents to recycle more waste to reduce landfill costs and by earning cash from the sale of recyclable materials.

He said: “The whole idea is to make the borough a safer, greener place.

“We have been listening to residents about what they want.

“The contract is about delivering a better place to work and play.

“It will be easier to manage and administer.

“This contract is definitely more for less and delivers savings.”

The council intends to launch a public realm app to encourage interaction with residents and Veolia would be funding up to 10 apprenticeships during the contract.

Council officers have recommended Veolia’s bid for approval but the final decision will be made at executive meeting on October 14.