Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 3, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 13.1 This report seeks approval to retender for procurement of a hedge maintenance contract to support Parks and Countryside to deliver hedge maintenance across Sheffield’s public realm as the current contract is due to expire in Spring 2025.     13.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee approves the commissioning of a 3 years (plus 1 year extension) contract/s, with an estimated value up to £420k (£105k per annum), for the hedge maintenance service across the Council’s Parks and Public Realm.     13.3 Reasons for Decision     13.3.1 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 the maintenance of hedges.     13.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     13.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do Nothing As the current contract comes to an end, this would mean that the work would need to be undertaken from within the P&C team. This option was discounted for the reasons set out in 5.2.     13.4.2 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 Page 149 efficient and cost effective to appoint specialist contractors to deliver the work and this option was therefore discounted.