Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture

RESOLVED

i)       To approve the award of the Arboriculture Contract to the highest scoring bidder, on the terms recommended, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report (exempt).

ii)    To delegate authority to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to finalise terms and conditions and to enter into the contract with the highest scoring bidder.

REASON

For the Council to continue to carry out statutory arboriculture services across the parks and countryside portfolio.

Councillor Roger Noel, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture, presented the report on the procurement of a new arboricultural contract, which would be in place by the time the current one expires in March 2022.  The contract would include tree inspections, which were currently undertaken by in-house Council staff.  This would ensure there was capacity to manage ash dieback and enable the Council’s specialist arboriculture officer to manage the contract and ensure good quality standards are maintained.  The contract period will align with the recently agreed grounds maintenance contract, should it be of value to combine the two contracts in the future.

Councillor Noel confirmed that the highest scoring bidder was selected for the quality of service provided rather than cost alone.  The new contract would include a commitment to sustainable practices and Councillor Noel was confident they would take good care of the district’s tree stock and fulfil everything they had tendered for.

RESOLVED

(i)      To approve the award of the Arboriculture Contract to the highest scoring bidder, on the terms recommended, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report (exempt).

ii)       To delegate authority to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to finalise terms and conditions and to enter into the contract with the highest scoring bidder.

REASON

For the Council to continue to carry out statutory arboriculture services across the parks and countryside portfolio.