Liverpool Council has ended a two-decade partnership with its bulky item collection provider.
For more than 20 years, the local authority has used Bulky Bob's to collect and dispose of large furniture items for residents across the city. Distinctive purple trucks have been a regular sight in wards throughout Liverpool picking up pieces from outside homes.
However, internal emails from the local authority, seen by the ECHO, have shown that from November 7, the council and Bulky Bob's will no longer work together, ending a 22-year working relationship. In a message to fellow councillors, Cllr Liam Robinson, interim cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said Bulky Bob's were asked to price an extension to their current contract but “on this occasion, their costs did not provide best value.”
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As a result, an interim arrangement for removals has been put in place with Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited (LSSL) for a six month period while the council goes out to full tender for a new provider. Cllr Robinson said: “We hope Bulky Bob’s will re-tender at this point.”
In his email, Cllr Robinson praised the work of the service over the last two decades. He wrote: “Bulky Bob's have done a brilliant job for the last 21 years and we hope to continue our relationship with them.” The interim cabinet member sought to reassure members that there would be no impact on the service during the next six months and bookings can continue to be made.
He added: “We are currently working on a transition with Bulky Bob's to LSSL and we will keep members updated as this progresses.”
In an email of his own, Shaun Doran, chief executive of FRC Group, that manages Bulky Bob’s, said the ending of the “fantastic partnership” was a “sad day” for the business. Bulky Bob’s was created in 2000 by the FRC Group, a Liverpool-based social enterprise and charity.
The firm also offers large collections to residents in Oldham and has served that local authority since 2006. The council’s decision to sever ties has been criticised by the opposition Liberal Democrat group.
Cllr Richard Clein, the group’s neighbourhoods spokesperson, said: “Is this yet another contract which the Labour council forgot was coming up for renewal? We were only alerted last night after the CEO of Bully Bobs sent all councillors an email to announce their work was coming to an end.
“My fear and the fear of the many residents who have already contacted me is it will lead to an increase in fly tipping if the transition isn’t smooth. People just don’t trust this council to get anything right so I can understand their concerns.
“I’ve already asked the interim director of neighbourhoods for a response and will be raising it at committee later today.”
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