For a newly appointed Mayor there are many duties that have to be fulfilled, opening new buildings, attending civic functions, the list is endless, however, for Broxtowe's new Madam Mayor, Councillor Susan Bagshaw, a more unusual appointment arose recently to receive the keys to a pair of high-tech, eco-efficient, refuse freighters from Terberg Matec UK, a lead supplier to the Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium.

The new vehicles, with a collective value of over £300,000.00, represent part of Broxtowe BC's fleet renewal program and are fitted with Terberg's low voltage, environmentally friendly and low noise electric OmniDEL E bin lifts ensuring the quietest possible early morning wheelie bin collections possible.

The vehicles are ready to move into action as part of Broxtowe's recycling and refuse collection schemes but, before they did, Broxtowe Borough Council took the opportunity to show the new Mayor where some of the investment in front-line local services is being made.

On hand to make sure the Mayor received a full explanation of the vehicle were Head of Environment for Broxtowe, Paul Summers, Contract Manager for Terberg, Gary Fisher and Terberg Director, Rob Colby.

The Mayor received a full run down of the technology on offer and tried out the driver's seat & controls for size before concluding her visit with a chance to load a wheelie bin onto the whisper quiet Terberg OmniDEL E electric bin lift.

The refuse freighters were purchased through the Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium.

Made up of 11 local authorities, the Consortium is currently three years into a second renewed four year framework agreement with prime contractor Terberg Matec UK. With Nottingham City as founding and current members, the Consortium also comprises Derby City Councils, the District Councils of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. The Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium was formed with the aim of delivering greater efficiency through the formation of strong partnership arrangements with suppliers.

The initial contract covered the four year period from 2008 to 2012, with approximately 120 vehicles supplied to the Consortium during this initial term. In 2013, following a competitive tender process, Terberg Matec UK were successfully awarded a second four year contract, for which a similar number of vehicles are expected to be delivered up to 2016.