Gloucester City Council officially joins Ubico to become eighth shareholder

The move will see Ubico, a local authority owned company, take over the delivery of Gloucester City’s waste and recycling collections, street cleansing and grounds maintenance from April 2022, once the council's contract with its current provider ends.

Ubico and Gloucester City Council are already working in close partnership and looking ahead to provide fit-for-purpose, value for money services which can deliver greater environmental benefits to Gloucester residents. 

The new contract will see the procurement of a number of new waste, recycling and street cleansing vehicles.  To allow for more efficient and eco-friendly driving, the vehicle specifications will include new technologies, which will further reduce the carbon footprint of the services provided. 

Beth Boughton, Managing Director at Ubico, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gloucester City as a shareholder in Ubico, and to be delivering environmental services across the whole of Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire. Ubico is committed to providing reliable, quality services and best value for its partners and the communities we serve and we are working closely in partnership with Gloucester City Council to ensure a smooth transition of services to Ubico from next April.”

Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “By becoming a shareholder it means we will have a seat at the table with more flexibility and influence over the services we provide. In addition, there are increased environmental benefits and we are able to strengthen our commitment to our communities through schemes such as the Ubico Training Centre which focuses on local employment and apprenticeships.”

Ubico is a wholly local authority-owned company, which provides environmental services to its partners including waste and recycling collections, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, building and toilet cleaning and household recycling centre management.

Formed in 2011 by Cheltenham Borough Council and Cotswold District Council, Ubico has expanded over the last 9 years to include Tewkesbury Borough Council, Forest of Dean District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council as shareholders in the company. ,

With newest partner Gloucester City Council on board, Ubico is set to provide environmental services to 300,000 residents and will employ over 800 staff.