Content

12.1

The Council’s existing
timber harvesting contract is due to expire in Spring 2025. This
report seeks approval to procure a new timber harvesting contract
to ensure continued delivery of high-quality services across the
woodland estate. The proposed contract, set to begin in Spring
2025, will have a duration of up to four years. This approach aims
to maintain service standards while ensuring value for money and
long-term sustainability in the management of the Council’s
woodland assets.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks
and Leisure Policy Committee:-
 

(a) 
notes the contents of this report; and
 

(b) 
approves the commissioning of up to a 4-year
contract with an estimated value of up to £1m across the
contract term.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

12.3.1

Due to procurement legislation
and a requirement to provide a green and resilient environment in
which the people of Sheffield can thrive and prosper, a tender
process is required for timber harvesting contract.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do
Nothing
 
As the current contract comes
to an end, this would mean that the work could not be completed.
This has commercial and ecological implications as timber loses its
value impacting our budgets. In addition, the wider landscape loses
the diversity of habitat and we risk our FSC accreditation as the
woodlands would not be ‘actively managed’ to the
required standards. This option was discounted.

 

 

12.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Deliver
the service within the Parks and Countryside team
 
There is neither the available
resources, equipment or expertise available in the existing staff
team to enable provision of this work. It is deemed more efficient
and cost effective to appoint specialist contractors to deliver the
work and this option was therefore discounted.