Purpose

To allow Environmental Management to work with
STAR procurement to populate a framework of qualified contractors
to be used for tree work across the borough.

Content

The Cabinet considered
a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought
approval of a framework agreement of tree related services.
 
The Play Pitch
Programme & Project Development Officer was
in attendance to present the information and to address the
questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.
 
The Officer informed
that the framework agreement for tree related services would allow
Environmental Management (EM) to continue managing the
council’s tree stock and providing tree related operation
services throughout the borough. This would include the felling of
dangerous trees, pruning operations, the control and monitoring of
Ash Dieback and replacement planting of trees on council managed
land across the whole borough.
 
Resolved:
1.   
That the report be noted and it be
agreed to procure a new framework agreement for tree related
services including contractors who meet the criteria to carry out
arboricultural operations across the
borough. The framework would be set up by EM and STAR Procurement,
the Council’s procurement partner;
2.   
That the £50k savings against the tree maintenance contract
from 2026/27 be noted;
3.   
That authority to procure be delegated to the Director of Economy
and Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate
Change and Environment;
4.   
That the Assistant Director (Legal and Governance –
Monitoring Officer) be authorised to prepare and execute associated
legal documentation in accordance with the Council’s
Constitution;
5.   
That delegated authority be given to the
Director of Economy and Place in consultation with the relevant
portfolio holder to award and sign any associated contracts.
 
Reason for
decision:
The course of this
action would allow for Environmental
Management to provide essential services for the residents of the
borough of Rochdale in relation to all tree work and tree
health.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
Not to have in place a
framework agreement for tree related services would impede the
ability of the Council to manage the health of the tree stock
across the borough and the probability of litigation against the
council would be increased.
Environmental Management had been successfully using a framework
for a number of years. The frame work
was populated with a number of contractors that can be called upon
to carry out different contracts or operations in relation to tree
work. It gave better value and flexibility than going to single
contractors for individual contracts.