Company selected for rubbish contract

The council wants a "smooth transfer" of the contract

Brighton and Hove Council has selected a new company to collect the city's rubbish after ending the current deal because of the firm's "poor" performance.

The refuse collection firm Serviceteam has been chosen by Brighton and Hove council as its preferred option to take over the work.

The council said it terminated its agreement with Sita, the firm presently responsible, because of the company's "poor" performance.

Many residents were said to be "angry and frustrated" about the service they had received.

Negotiations will take place over the next few weeks to agree the details of the agreement between the council and Serviceteam.

'Smooth transfer'

Deputy leader Councillor Jackie Lythell said: "It is my sincere hope that all involved will now co-operate fully to provide local people with quality refuse collection and cleansing services."

The council's chief executive Glynn Jones said people had to be happy with the new service, which must be one which they "can afford and are prepared to pay for".

Officials are hoping for a smooth transfer of the contract from Sita to Serviceteam "as soon as practicable".

Serviceteam already operates refuse collections in Crawley and Eastbourne.

It currently has contracts worth more than £200m.