Decision

To extend the existing grounds maintenance contract with Nurture Group by an additional year, following the receipt of legal advice regarding procurement and extension processes for this contract.

Decision:

Following Cabinet approval and delegation in January 2026, Cllr Jan French, Portfolio Holder for Open Spaces and Cllr Chris Boden, Portfolio Holder for Finance have taken the decision to extend the Council’s grounds maintenance contract with Nurture Group by one year.

This decision will be taken following the publication of a Transparency Notice under the Procurement Act 2023 and following the observation of a voluntary 8 working day standstill period.

Reasons for the decision

Further to the Cabinet Decision of January 2026;

AGREED to authorise officers to enter negotiations to extend the existing contract for a period of two years and to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Grounds Maintenance to approve the final proposals arrived at during negotiations as set out in Exempt Appendix 1 of the report

To extend the Nurture Group contract with FDC to manage the open space contract on the Council’s behalf for a further year at a cost of £748,582.63 using the same specification as the current year.

An extension of 2 years is not possible at this time as a third-party professional assessment can only certify a 1-year extension as Best Value.

Alternative options considered

A 2-year contract was considered, but the Council could not secure a professional opinion that year 2 of such an extension would provide best value for the council.