Westminster City Council is set to overhaul its waste and cleansing services contract, placing a significant emphasis on social value in the procurement process.
The decision was made during a Cabinet Meeting on Monday 17 November 2025, where councillors discussed the procurement strategy for the upcoming waste and cleansing services contract. The current contract with Veolia is set to expire on 15 September 2027.
The estimated total contract value for the new contract is £1.432 billion over a potential 16.5-year duration. This figure is based on assumptions about inflation, annual capital expenditure, and potential fleet replacement costs. The current annual contract value with Veolia is £57.7 million (as of April 1, 2025), according to the Cabinet Report - Procurement Strategy - Waste Contract.
Councillor Lesson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, highlighted the challenges of balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, and residents in Westminster's night-time economy. Businesses want the treatment to thrive, visitors want a great night out and residents want safety, respect and a decent night's sleep. And these interests don't always align. And this strategy is honest about that.
According to the Cabinet Report - Procurement Strategy - Waste Contract, the new contract is essential to meet the council's legal obligations for waste collection and disposal, including household waste, kerbside collections, and ensuring clean public roads. It also includes a new duty to provide weekly garden waste collections starting 31 March 2026.
The recommended procurement route is the Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP), which allows for dialogue during the process. The contract will be awarded based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), with a scoring split of 40% for Technical (Quality), 40% for Commercial (Price), and 20% for Responsible Procurement. The Responsible Procurement score will focus on Social Value and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council, emphasized the importance of the contract, stating it is possibly the most high profile contract that the council has given the importance of clean streets to our residents."
Amy Jones, Director of Environment, noted that the contract will have an initial term of eight years and six months, with an option for an eight-year extension. She also highlighted the importance of responsible procurement, with 20% of the evaluation score dedicated to social value outcomes, such as driving out modern slavery, providing community outreach opportunities, and ensuring the London Living Wage.
The new contract is expected to be in place by December 2026, allowing for a nine-month mobilisation period before the current contract expires in September 2027.
