Formal Floral Bedding, Planters and Hanging Baskets

Prudhoe Town Council is inviting tenders for the supply, watering and maintenance of the Town's spring and summer floral displays for the three-year period from April 2020 to March 2023. The specification is detailed below.

SPECIFICATION The Town Council has responsibility for 34 formal beds (schedule 1). These are located along the B6395 (and A695) and equate to approximately 650 sq. metres.

Each bed is planted with annual spring and summer displays. The Town value the seasonal planting but this year we would like to extend the scheme of each bed to include an evergreen, flowering, perennial, to create some height and impact and also to reduce to impact of annual planting on the environment.

In addition to the planting and maintenance of the beds, we also expect the successful contractor to support the Council in the recycling of plants that are removed, via residents, schools and community groups. Schedule 2 of this contract is for 'The Glade', which is a high-traffic pedestrian area within the Town Centre.

As well as a small area of grass that requires maintenance, there is a combination of established beds and seasonal planting. We maintain 2 town signs (schedule 3) that were installed by Prudhoe Town Council with associated planting.

One as you enter from the east (B6395), near the entrance to Cottier Grange and another at the western gateway as you turn-off the A695, heading east, onto the B3695. These contain a mixture of seasonal and perennial planting.

The Town Council present 36 hanging baskets (schedule 4) on attractive floral columns within the town centre. These are 18-inch reservoir baskets that we have purchased which need to be planted, installed and maintained.

The Town Council has responsibility for 41 street planters (800x600x600mm), 1 large 3-tier planter, 4 large planters, 10 medium barrier planters and 5 manchester flower bollards with 72-litre capacity baskets (schedule 5). Each of these is planted with seasonal planting, the largest planters could accommodate a central perennial, as in the formal beds above.

The following areas of work, supply and service are required under the contract: • To remove previous season plants and prepare for new season planting as required. • To supply all plants and associated materials. • To provide all labour, tools and equipment to bring on, maintain and ensure pristine beds, planters and baskets throughout the display season and between. • To liaise with Prudhoe Town Council to ensure a high standard of service is maintained. • To liaise with Prudhoe Town Council to agree subsequent colour schemes and the design for the commemorative bed. • To report any damage or vandalism. Summer displays should be in place in early June and removed in September ready for spring planting (excluding hanging baskets).

All work will be carried out within the town of Prudhoe (NE42), and including Mickley (NE43). All contractors are required to carry out an accompanied visit to all beds,