East Suffolk Council
A new day in East Suffolk as Council’s operational company launches
East Suffolk Services Limited is now officially trading, delivering a range of operational services for local communities, on behalf of East Suffolk Council.
As part of its commitment to seek the best possible value for money for residents, businesses and all local stakeholders, East Suffolk Council agreed to create a ‘Local Authority Trading Company’ (LATCo) in the Autumn of 2021, enabling it to play a more direct and influential role in how important services are delivered.
The company, now called East Suffolk Services Ltd (ESSL), operates as an ‘arms-length’ commercial business, separate to the Council and is responsible for delivering crucial council services such as waste and recycling collection, grounds maintenance and street cleansing.
Cllr Rachel Smith-Lyte, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “I’m really pleased this is happening and we want the new company to be a great success for our staff, customers and communities. It will maximise efficiency and seek to deliver the highest possible standard of services after, of course, a smooth transition.”
“The decision to create East Suffolk Services was taken in part to help us deliver environmental changes, such as new fuels, more efficient vehicles and different approaches to waste management. This commitment could not be more timely, and we will work together to achieve our ambitions in this area.”
Cllr Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council said: “The Council wants to deliver improvement that benefits council taxpayers, and an incredible amount of hard work has gone into the creation of East Suffolk Services to ensure it is ready to commence trading. East Suffolk Services aims to provide a more flexible service and respond quickly to local issues.
“I would like to thank officers and councillors for all their efforts to get us to this point and I would also like to wish the Norse Group well for the future as our relationship with them draws to a close.”
Cassandra Clements was appointed as Managing Director for the new company in April 2022 and has worked together with the Council to help deliver the transition.
She said: “We are really excited to take management of these important council services and have worked hard to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for our outstanding staff and, of course, for our customers. We will then work to improve standards across all of East Suffolk.
“While we are focused on the core bundle of services which communities in East Suffolk rely on, we will also proactively seek business growth opportunities which will provide increased job security and benefit council taxpayers”.
East Suffolk Council exercised its right not to renew the contract it held with Norse for the provision of these services, and the contract came to a natural end last week. Meanwhile, operational staff have transferred to the new organisation, through ‘protection under law’ TUPE legislation, helping to ensure as seamless a transition as possible.
The services received by residents are not affected by the transition from East Suffolk Norse to East Suffolk Services Ltd. For any enquiries about operational services, please email customerservices@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or call 03330 162 000.