On 2 March 2012, WIDP (Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme) published a document for consultation that offers guidance to local authorities that are currently undertaking the procurement of, or that are already managing, residual waste PFI / PPP contracts.  The consultation document can be found here.

Through the proposed guidance document, WIDP aims to help local authorities apply best practice based on a good understanding of the terms of their contract and the management challenges posed by the complex contracts found in the waste sector.  In particular, WIDP states that the objectives of contract management are to:

  • Protect the local authority from dilution of the negotiated commercial position over the life of the contract
  • Ensure that the local authority receives what it is paying for
  • Make sure that the works and services that the local authority has procured are delivered and that a high level of service is provided to users
  • Monitor performance so as to assure delivery of the service to the contracted standard and report benefits to WIDP

Whilst the proposed guidance is stated as being principally for the benefit of local authorities, WIDP has suggested that contractors will also find value in reviewing it.  

WIDP are keen to have input on the proposed guidance document from all parties with relevant experience in the waste sector – including contractors.  The consultation runs for 12 weeks, ending on 25 May 2012.  Details about how to respond to the consultation, and the terms and conditions of doing so, are set out on the website referred to above.  

Once the consultation has been concluded, we will feedback the results to you.  In the meantime, if you would like to discuss the consultation please do get in touch with either Jonathan Beckitt or Harvinder Deol.

This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq

Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.

The original publication date for this article was 12/03/2012.