Purpose

This report seeks endorsement of the mid contract extension to
the contract for the supply of services – arboriculture. This
contract provides tree surgery works, emergency tree works in and
out of hours for Council-maintained trees, as well as replacement
tree planting on Council managed land.
 
The contract was novated to Treehab Limited
(Treehab) from City Suburban Tree Surgeons Limited
(City Suburban) on the 31st October 2022. This was due to the
solvent liquidation of City Suburban. The contract was let in 2017
for 5 years with the option to extend 3 times by 1 year. So far 2
of the 1 year extensions have been used.
 
Treehab are a local tree surgery firm and are keen
to extend the contract for another year. Originally only carrying
out tree work for 2022-2023, they were able to scale up and carry
out replacement tree planting for 2023-2024. They have proved to be
resilient and able to carry out technically difficult tree work,
rear garden works, as well as, providing emergency tree work 24
hours per day, 365 days per year. They have shown they can provide
the services we require for the safe management of the
Council’s tree stock.
 
Treehab have proposed an uplift to the schedule of
rates for the biennial reduction regime. This work makes up 17-20%
of the budget spend and can be accommodated within the budget for
2024-25.
 
This report proposes to use the last extension to extend the
contract with Treehab until 31st March 2025.
 
The contract extension report is being presented to the
Executive Director Supporting Communities for approval in line with
Contract Standing Orders. 
 
 
 

Content

THAT the Executive Director Supporting Communities:
1.       Notes the
performance of the contract;
2.       Approves the
extension of the contract for a period of 1 year for the estimated
sum of £860,423.20.