Issue - meetings

This report concerns the award of a contract for the provision of Grounds Maintenance Services, following approval of Cabinet on 17th January 2022 to tender for the provision of these services.  The report summarises the process undertaken in tendering this contract and, following the completion of the evaluation of the tenders seeks authority to the final award of contract.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the contents of the report in relation to the award of a contract for Grounds Maintenance Services.

(2)      To approve the award of a contract for the provision of Grounds Maintenance Services to Continental Landscapes Ltd for an initial contract period of eight years, with an option to extend for a further eight year contract period and notes that the value of the contract is estimated to be circa £2.2m per year, or circa £17.6m over the initial 8 year term of the contract or circa £35.2m over the full 16 year contract period excluding VAT, CPI indexation and AWE increases).

(3)      To note that the award of the contract would be subject to consideration of any section 20 leaseholder consultation observations received from leaseholders.

(4)      To delegate the decision to proceed with the award of the contract, as set out in (2) above, to the Corporate Director, Resident Services in consultation with the Cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action.

Councillor Krupa Sheth (Cabinet Member for Environment. Infrastructure & Climate Action) introduced a report which detailed the outcome of the procurement process and sought approval to award a contract for the provision of Grounds Maintenance Services.

In considering the report Cabinet noted the outcome of the detailed procurement process which had been undertaken in line with the strategic approach, aims and objectives within the Redefining Local Services (RLS) programme with the new contract and approach providing a standalone grounds maintenance contract designed to deliver a high quality, improved service and enhanced green spaces facilitated by a dedicated and specialist contractor.  Members noted that the scope of the Grounds maintenance contract would include a neighbourhood approach and cover Brent’s parks and open spaces, housing estates, highways grass verges and allotments (but not cemeteries), whilst under the insourcing requirement the Parks Warden service would be bought in-house.

Having outlined the procurement process undertaken, Cabinet also noted that the final award of contract would be subject to a formal consultation process with Brent Housing Management leaseholders in relation to provision of the service on housing estates.

In welcoming the new contractor and supporting the approach towards delivery of a standalone grounds maintenance service, Cabinet were also keen to recognise and thank the outgoing service provider for their support and work undertaken to date along with the officers for their efforts in developing the service and undertaking a successful procurement.

In recognising the improvements which it was felt the new contract would deliver in terms of maintaining the borough’s public realm and green spaces, and noting the exempt information included within Appendix 1 of the report, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To note the contents of the report in relation to the award of a contract for Grounds Maintenance Services.

(2)        To approve the award of a contract for the provision of Grounds Maintenance Services to Continental Landscapes Ltd for an initial contract period of eight years, with an option to extend for a further eight year contract period and notes that the value of the contract is estimated to be circa £2.2m per year, or circa £17.6m over the initial 8 year term of the contract or circa £35.2m over the full 16 year contract period excluding VAT, CPI indexation and AWE increases).

(3)        To note that the award of the contract would be subject to consideration of any section 20 leaseholder consultation observations received from leaseholders.

(4)        To delegate the decision to proceed with the award of the contract, as set out in (2) above, to the Corporate Director, Resident Services in consultation with the Cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action.