Council Cabinet will be asked to approve plans to procure and award a new contract for the routine and reactive maintenance of its Highways Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) fleet and associated plant and equipment, aimed at ensuring the Council continues to meet legal standards and operational demands across its vehicle fleet.

The proposals also support the planned fleet expansion required for the upcoming food waste collections, which are set to begin on 31 March 2026 under the new Simpler Recycling regulations.

To meet these expanded obligations, the Council plans to outsource maintenance for a proportion of the HGV fleet to an external service provider.

Currently, all HGV maintenance is delivered in-house at Stores Road Depot. However, the site’s capacity does not allow for additional vehicles without significant redevelopment. Outsourcing a share of the fleet maintenance will enable the Council to accommodate the incoming food waste vehicles without requiring major investment or disruption to the depot.

The new contract will:

  • cover scheduled six-weekly inspections, MOT preparations, servicing, calibration, and reactive repairs
  • begin in January 2026 for an initial term of three years, with the option to extend for up to two additional years
  • be competitively tendered in line with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring transparency, value for money, and supplier compliance.

As part of the procurement process, all bidders will be assessed on legal, financial, and technical capability, as well as environmental practices and social value commitments. The contract will require providers to minimise environmental impacts and consider climate implications as part of the procurement process, such as preventing oil spills and ensuring proper disposal of parts and fluids.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, commented:

As Derby expands its recycling services to meet national requirements, we must ensure our fleet is fit for purpose, safe and maintained to a high standard. This new contract will help us deliver vital services efficiently while supporting our environmental and social goals.