A new cleaning contract for Christchurch streets will save nearly $1 million and see the cleaners in red-and-black uniforms.

The three-year contract has been won by Metallic Sweeping (1998) Ltd and will start on 1 August. It was previously held by City Care Ltd. The contract covers all street cleaning across the city, including Cathedral Square. It also covers such items as emptying litter bins and litter collection, leaf collection, and other miscellaneous cleaning operations.

The announcement of the contract came after two days of talks involving a special City Council sub-committee, Council staff and Metallic Sweeping. The chairman of the sub-committee, Cr. Denis O'Rourke said today that the contract meant higher standards would be achieved with a greater frequency of cleaning, especially in key areas in the city centre.

"We have also achieved improvements in the methods of cleaning gutters around the city," he said.

There would be a higher quality control by both the contractor and the Council and an agreement had been reached between the two parties saying that they would work together to obtain the highest possible standards of cleaning.

"To this end both parties have signed a partnership charter. This says: 'Together we will successfully provide a high-quality service to achieve a clean city we are proud of,'" Cr. O'Rourke said.

The Managing Director of Metallic Sweeping, Clive Peter, said a number of innovations were included in the contract.

They included:
* The de-ordourising of rubbish bins.
* Staff wearing distinctive red-and-black uniforms.
* Staff specially trained to provide public assistance and
information.
* Customer-satisfaction surveys undertaken.

Cr. O'Rourke said the contract meant there would be significant savings for the Council. "It will be costing us about $900,000 less than we budgeted for," he said.

He said the sub-committee would be recommending to the Council that $50,000 be set aside to mount an anti-litter campaign. Cr. O'Rourke said he wanted it started later this year.

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