Issue - meetings

To consider the award of a contract to the preferred supplier for the provision of arboricultural services to the Council for up to 4 years.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the contract award for the provision of arboricultural services to Crimson Kings (Midlands) Ltd for a two-year term for an estimated annual sum of £150,000, with an option to extend annually for up to a further two years.

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing & Projects, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, to extend the contract by up to a further two years should this be required.

Reasons for the decision

This contract would ensure high-quality, safe and professional tree work in accordance with national standards, with clearly defined quality criteria covering operational practices, health and safety, environmental management, responsiveness, professional competence and customer service. The contract would provide consistency, transparency, and value for money for the Council’s ongoing tree management responsibilities.

Crimson Kings (Midlands) Ltd obtained the highest combined score and were therefore the preferred supplier.

Other options considered

Continue to procure arboricultural services by obtaining individual quotations for each piece of work or parcel of activity. This option was discounted both based on the expected value for overall works, and because this approach risked an increased overall cost.

Purpose of report

To consider the award of a contract to the preferred supplier for the provision of arboricultural services to the Council for up to 4 years.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the contract award for the provision of arboricultural services to Crimson Kings (Midlands) Ltd for a two-year term for an estimated annual sum of £150,000, with an option to extend annually for up to a further two years.

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing & Projects, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, to extend the contract by up to a further two years should this be required.

Other options considered

Continue to procure arboricultural services by obtaining individual quotations for each piece of work or parcel of activity. This option was discounted both based on the expected value for overall works, and because this approach risked an increased overall cost.

Reasons for the decision

This contract would ensure high-quality, safe and professional tree work in accordance with national standards, with clearly defined quality criteria covering operational practices, health and safety, environmental management, responsiveness, professional competence and customer service. The contract would provide consistency, transparency, and value for money for the Council’s ongoing tree management responsibilities.

Crimson Kings (Midlands) Ltd obtained the highest combined score and were therefore the preferred supplier.

Work to trees was commissioned on a ‘job by job’ basis. However, the overall level of spend required necessitated a formally agreed contract. This was a transparent way of spending larger amounts of money, whilst retaining flexibility for carrying out work where required.

£600,000 was the maximum budget available. If more money was required then a further decision from Cabinet may be necessary.