At a cabinet meeting Norwich City Council is set to agree the details of arrangements for bringing environment services – including grounds maintenance, street cleaning, parks and cemeteries – back in house from 1 April this year.

In recent years, these functions – alongside property services and building maintenance – have been carried out via joint venture arrangements with Norse. However, in 2018 the city council announced its intention to bring a number of contracts back into their direct control at the end of the current contract with Norse. Environment services will return to the council on 1 April this year, with property and building maintenance returning in April 2022.

The city council set up a new company owned by the city council – (NCSL) – to deliver these services – which are worth £6.3m each year – and today’s meeting will contractually confirm this long-term arrangement.

The city council will appoint NCSL to deliver environmental services over the next six years, with options to extend the arrangement for a further five years.

Councillor Kevin Maguire Waters, Cabinet Member for safe and sustainable city environment, said: “A great deal of careful preparation has gone into bringing these services back under the direct control of the city council, and to be able to award this contract to our new company is a proud moment.

“These are important front-line services for residents of Norwich and this move will mean we have more direct control over how they are delivered. It will also support our ambitious environmental strategy, with integrated procurement of up-to-date plant, equipment, and fleet providing opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint even further.

“Work is continuing to ensure we are fully prepared for this transition, and ready to start delivering a good level of service to our residents from day one in April.

The city council’s building maintenance and repairs service will join NCSL in 2022, while property services will rejoin City Hall directly in the same year.