Issue details

Delivery of the Ash Dieback Action Plan - Procurement

Ash Dieback (ADB) is a disease that is likely to kill 95% of the county’s ash trees over the next 10–20 years.  This will have a major impact on the county’s landscape, the wildlife it supports, other ecosystems that trees provide and climate change.

 

It will also have a high impact on the county and the County Council, posing a significant risk to people, property (including schools) and the delivery of services (including highways).  Therefore, a corporate Ash Dieback Action Planhas been prepared to manage the impact of the disease.

 

The aim of the Plan is to effectively address the risks presented by the impact of ash dieback (which will require a programme of reactive and proactive tree removal and replanting), conserve the ecosystems in which ash trees are found across the county, and prepare for a positive regeneration phase with a net biodiversity gain. 

 

A specialist contractor needs to be procured to deliver the tree removal and replanting programme. Additional officer resources are required to support programme delivery.

 

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure will be asked to:

 

1.   commence the procurement process and

2.   delegate authority to the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning to enter into the contract and extend, if appropriate, in accordance with the County Council’s Standing Orders on Procurement and Contracts.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: For Determination

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/11/2020

Decision due: March 2021 by Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure

Lead member: Councillor Roger Elkins roger.elkins@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Michele Hulme Email: michele.hulme@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23880.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.

 

Consultees

Director of Law and Assurance

Director of Finance and Support Services

 

Democratic Services Contact: Judith Shore Tel: 033 022 26052

Background3: A Prosperous Place

Background papers

  • None