Dartford Council is to decide on the recipient of a £4 million waste collection contract for the borough later this week.

The contract with current provider Amey LG Ltd is to expire in June and the council's cabinet will meet this Thursday to consider tenders from two businesses, FCC Environment Ltd and Urbaser Ltd, both of which already operate within Kent on behalf of other councils.

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Services contained within the council's tendered contract include weekly and fortnightly collections of recycling, garden waste, medical waste and household waste, along with the provision of street cleaners and the collection of public bins.

Speaking ahead of the cabinet decision, council leader Jeremy Kite said: "Waste collection is one of those services that people sometimes love to hate but the numbers involved and the performance levels we reach tell a different story.

"We are one of only two councils in Kent still collecting general household waste every week and that’s hugely important to us because we know it’s what residents want.

"Frankly, I am outraged that there are some councils out there that think it’s OK to collect waste just once a month and when you hear from residents about the despair it causes you do wonder why so many authorities have simply stopped listening to the taxpayers who pay for the service."

According to council documents, Amey LG Ltd had dropped out during the procurement process citing "a business restructuring exercise" as the reason.

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It's also stated that the council received 22 notices of interest from potential providers, however FCC Environment Ltd and Urbaser Ltd were the only two companies to submit full bids by the closing date.

"I’m delighted to say that a number of contractors really understood our determination to put service and common-sense at the heart of the service and we are now in a position to decide between two excellent potential partners, FFC Environment and Urbaser.

"Once the decision is taken we will introduce them and their new services to local residents," said Cllr Kite.