Hughenden Parish Council - Open Spaces

Hughenden Parish Council is seeking to award a three-year Outdoor Spaces Maintenance contract for the landholdings it manages. The Invitation to Tender is being procured under the Parish Council's open tender process; in line with the 2015 Public Contracts Regulations. Operating as a third tier of local authority, the Parish Council provides local services (in conjunction with unitary principal authority Buckinghamshire Council). The Parish Council represents local interests, making decisions on behalf of parishioners, delivering services to meet local needs and ensuring the well-being of the community. The purpose of the tendered contract is to deliver a high-quality Outdoor Spaces maintenance service for Hughenden Parish Council's public open spaces. The Parish Council puts great value in the day-to-day management of these open spaces as a resource that all residents can enjoy. Green Spaces are a vital part of the community infrastructure; contributing in a variety of ways to the health and well-being of all that use them or enjoy their visual amenity. The Tender Specifications are provided below and provide the necessary details and standards to achieve the Parish Council's required maintenance standards. The Terms and Conditions outlines essential work pre-requisites, such as requirements, health and safety preconditions and necessary qualifications. Value for money is essential for any local authority that is spending public money; and it will be a key attribute in determining the successful applicant for this tender. Another important element of the tender will be provision of social value, which is based on supporting ethical criteria wherever possible. For instance, the Parish Council will favour the opportunity to use companies or contractors that can put money back into the area by providing opportunities for local employment. It is also imperative the successful applicant shows a commitment to satisfactory employment conditions and pays its staff a real living wage. Establishing strong environmental standards and benefits are other key elements of supporting social values. Consequently, a strong focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the Parish Council's own grounds maintenance operations will be essential. Likewise, maintenance that supports the council's commitment to addressing the ecological emergency is an increasing focus of its grounds management requirements. Where possible, any suitable opportunity to enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats should be identified and adopted.