Decision

To appoint Quelch Grounds & Garden Maintenance as the preferred service to carry out the lawn cutting of 4 unoccupied Affordable Rented properties on the Quakers Road development – 47-50incl. Parkfields and authorise the commitment of funds up to the amount specified.

Reasons for the decision

1. Due to the high work pressures of the Property Services Team, although requested, it has not been possible for them to maintain additional newly built homes that are not programmed to be maintained. The Quakers Road, Devizes development will be managed by a management company, however these 4 homes require short term maintenance during the initial handover void.

2. The properties detailed in this record of officer decision have reached Practical Completion and are currently being advertised in anticipation of them being allocated to those in housing need. There will be a slight delay between handover of these homes and occupation and due to the growing season, the lawns at these properties require a one-off cut prior to occupation.

3. The quote received is , being below £24,999 the Council’s
procurement regulations are satisfied by going to one party only. A copy of the email with the quote is attached to this Record of Officer Decision. The contractor will be engaged to ensure they adhere to the Council’s standard terms and conditions for consultancy services.

4. There are sufficient funds available within the contingency in the overall scheme budget:


See the attached document for considerations in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution.

Alternative options considered

To not carry out the lawn cutting would leave the new Affordable Rented properties’ gardens in a poor condition, making them difficult to maintain for the incoming residents.