The report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended acceptance of a tender from Man Coed VM Ltd and award of a term service contract for the Wirral Arboricultural Services Contract (Corporate Tree Maintenance Contract). The contract was to run from April 2021 until March 2026 with a conditional extension option of 2 further years. 

Simon Fox, Assistant Director of Infrastructure and Highways, clarified that the report was about the procurement exercise not how the Council managed its trees, which was covered by the tree strategy. The Council had trained, qualified, specialist arboricultural officers to deliver the strategy and make decisions about which trees were felled or pollarded and what happened to deadwood, but the Council needed a specialist contractor to enable it to deliver the strategy and keep residents safe. There had been a rigorous analysis of the tenders submitted, by senior Council officers including from Legal, Procurement and Finance professions.

Members were clear that the Council had a duty of care to residents and wished to keep a watching brief on the delivery of the contract. Members questioned the pricing of the bid but were reassured that prices quoted were in line with expectations and had not concerned officers. Members also asked if community groups could be involved in tree planting and it was confirmed that the Council had secured funding and welcomed suggestions.

Councillor Steve Foulkes proposed an additional resolution:

3. committee welcomes all member workshops will take place on this matter. furthermore to reassure the public, this committee should receive regular reports on this contracts performance.

This was seconded by Councillor Gill Wood, then clarified slightly before being agreed.

RESOLVED - That

(1)  the tender for the Wirral Arboricultural Services Contract Apr 2021- Mar 2026 submitted by Man Coed VM Ltd to Wirral Council on 8 January 2021 be accepted;

(2)  the award of the contract to Man Coed VM Ltd be approved, subject to contract and subject to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) standstill period;

(3)  Committee welcomes all member workshops will take place on this matter (the performance of the contract). Furthermore to reassure the public, this Committee should receive regular reports on this contracts performance.