Open Space Management

The contract is to maintain Bishopstoke Parish Council's open spaces, including play areas, the Cemetery, allotments and general open space. During the course of the contract, there will be additions to the contract that the Council will expect the winning company to also maintain.

From time to time there may be specific, one-off jobs, such as clearing small fallen trees in the Cemetery, and it is anticipated that those would also be undertaken by the winning company and charged individually as they are completed at the same rates as those that form the initial contract.

Details of the areas to be included in the contract, and the required work for each area, are supplied in the following pages.

A breakdown of costs is required, including: cost per grass cutting visit at each site; hourly rate for leaf clearance; cost per weedkilling visit at each site and cost per litter picking visit at each site. Associated costs such as disposal of grass, leaves or litter should also be provided.

It should be noted that all areas covered by the contract receive significant use by residents, in particular, children and the elderly. Procedures for ensuring their safety, as well as that of employees, during any work carried out for the Council are essential.

List of items to be provided by applicants

• A letter introducing the company.

• Cost per year to the Parish Council of the contract as a whole excluding VAT, for each of the three initial years of the contract, and an indication of future costs should the contract be extended.

• A breakdown of costs covering the rate for each job at each site, including associated costs such as off-site disposal of grass, and an hourly rate for each type of work.

• Copies of all relevant and necessary licences and certificates.

• Copies of all necessary insurance documents, including the value of Public Liability insurance held.

• Current relevant staff numbers, including any specific qualifications (e.g. chainsaw licence holder) and indicating if any further people would be employed should the contract be awarded.

• A current relevant equipment list indicating any equipment that would be purchased should the contract be awarded. Particular attention should be paid to highlighting any rechargeable electric equipment.

• Company details - including but not limited to how long the company has been in operation.

• Account details.

• Examples of current and previous work, including contact details for at least two references to be taken up.

• An indication of willingness to take on the potential additions to the contract.

• Details of any of the possible ad hoc jobs the company is unwilling or unable to undertake.

• Any further information the company feels would be relevant to the bid.

A full specification is available on the Council website or by contacting the clerk. Applicants should send their bids to the Council office or by email to the Clerk.