Council leaders are set to sign off on a key step towards introducing new food waste collections for Southampton residents.

Government is requiring all local authorities in England and Wales to provide weekly kerbside household food waste collections by March 31, 2026.

Southampton City Council needs to acquire specialist collection vehicles and specific bin caddies ahead of the deadline.

Cabinet members are being asked to sign off on two procurement processes and funding arrangements when they meet on Tuesday, April 29.

The local authority has received a government capital grant of £2.109million to purchase kitchen caddies, kerbside caddies, communal wheeled bins and vehicles.

A report to cabinet by interim director for environment Rob Harbour said the government grant would be sufficient to cover the costs.

An additional £628,000 revenue grant will be used for container delivery, project management, procurement processes and communications.

Modelling by consultants at the start of 2024 suggested 11 7.5-tonne vehicles would be needed, however further research based on neighbouring authorities gave a “clear indication” that six 12-tonne vehicles would be most appropriate approach in Southampton.

Five would be for collection rounds, with one spare to cover breakdowns and maintenance.

Each vehicle will cost in the region of £135,000, while around 300,000 caddies and bins will be needed.

Mr Harbour’s report said there are limited supply options for specialist food waste collection vehicles.

One supplier told the council all of its build slots were full up to and including the end of 2026.

A framework had been identified by fleet services through The Procurement Partnership Limited for a direct award which could be completed within the required timescale, the report said.

Failing to procure vehicles in time would see the council needing to hire vehicles at a cost of £1,000 a week per vehicle, although this price could increase with an anticipated surge in demand when the statutory requirement for food waste collection kicks in.

Alongside five- and 23-litre caddies for individual households, five- and 140-litre communal bins will be needed for flats and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

The subject is due to be discussed at a overview and scrutiny management committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, before going to cabinet next week.