Planting and Maintenance of Flower Beds

West Bedlington Town Council invites tenders from suitably experienced suppliers for the provision of seasonal planting, routine inspection, cleansing, watering and maintenance of identified flower beds, planters and associated planted areas within the West Bedlington Town Council area.

1. Purpose of the Tender

The purpose of this tender is to appoint a competent supplier(s) to deliver the services currently described in the existing service level agreement, including the preparation, planting, inspection, cleansing, establishment watering and ongoing maintenance of flower beds and planters across West Bedlington. The Council is seeking proposals that provide a reliable, good-quality and cost-effective service, with clear arrangements for communication, reporting, health and safety, environmental practice and service monitoring.

2. Scope of Services

The supplier will be required to deliver a complete seasonal floral planting and maintenance service for the flower beds, tubs and planters identified in the attached schedule. The service shall include, as a minimum, stripping out and preparing beds before planting, supplying suitable plants and materials, planting summer and winter schemes, watering for establishment, removing litter, detritus and weeds in and immediately surrounding the beds, inspecting sites, reporting issues, and carrying out agreed remedial work where instructed by the Council. Suppliers can bid for flower beds only or planters only or both flower beds and planters.

3. Service Locations and Planting Schedule

The service locations and indicative planting requirements are set out in the existing Flower Bed Locations table within this document. Tenderers must price for all listed locations unless invited by the Council to submit prices for specific lots or alternative options. The Council may amend planting designs, quantities or locations during the contract term by written agreement.

4. Required Service Standards

• All identified flower beds shall be visited at least twice per month during the growing season, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Sites shall be left clean, tidy and safe following each visit.

• Weeds, litter and detritus shall be removed from beds and immediately surrounding areas.

• Beds shall be prepared before summer and winter planting, normally during May/June and September/October or as otherwise agreed with the Council.

• Plants supplied shall be healthy, suitable for the location, and planted to an appropriate spacing and depth.

• Watering necessary for establishment shall be included. Additional watering may be instructed and priced separately where agreed.

• Any damage, safety risk, vandalism, plant failure or maintenance issue shall be reported to the Council promptly.

• The supplier shall keep records of scheduled visits, work completed, issues identified and actions taken.