Additional Information
Monmouthshire is a county located in South East Wales with a population of approximately 92,000. As the local authority for the county, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) values the district-wide tree cover and recognises the immense potential for human and environmental benefits associated with a healthy and sustainable tree population. The value that trees contribute is also recognised at a national level and is supported through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
The Council recognises that trees can develop defects or health issues that may lead to failure that poses a risk to people and property in close proximity and has a duty to manage this risk. Ash Die-back is now present at different levels throughout Wales. The disease has now been identified across all grid squares in Monmouthshire, some in the last year. The disease has impacted on several MCC sites including at Old Station Tintern where over the last few months the disease has suddenly taken hold.
The proposed contract will be for the removal of Trees infected with Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Ash Dieback) showing more than 50% canopy loss identified by spray marker as presenting a safety risk (Approximate no. 340, DBH range: 61 no. >20cm; 335no. 20-40cm; 52no. 40-60cm; 4no. <60cm) to be completed by end of February 2020.
Conditions of the contract will include: safety of operatives and public; management of protected species; broader environmental protection including contribution the Climate Emergency agenda; physical impact on the site; proportion of costs returned through sale of wood e.g. for log fuel, woodchip for renewable energy or other supply chains; disposal of unsaleable material waste and overall cost.
There will be some roadside working involved and work over buildings and other built infrastructure. The protection of assets and safety of road users this will also need to be considered.
The County Council will secure a felling licence prior to work commencing.
In addition to the conditions mentioned above, the County Council are seeking contractor views on the most appropriate and cost effective methods available to inform an invitation to tender for the work. Key outcomes of the contract will be:
1. Safe removal of all marked trees: Recognising the particular safety issues that Ash Dieback presents to operatives, Contractor views are invited to inform the most the chosen method to safety remove the trees to prevent harm to the workforce carrying out the works.
2. Climate Emergency and recovery of value: In recognition of the current Climate Emergency Status, contractor views on are sought on methods that will minimise the works carbon footprint. This should include but be not limited to material produced from the tree work that is recoverable for marketing to biomass or other supply chains e.g. composite boards, log fuel and woodchip and the impact on the environment of the supporting activities such as transport and machinery miles related to the works.
3. Presentation of site at the end of the contract: As a key visitor attraction, the presentation of the site is an important factor in public enjoyment and income generations. The contractor will need to specify how it intends to ensure that they minimise aesthetic damage to the site and mitigate any unavoidable damage caused in carrying out the contract.
A supplier engagement event will take place on the following date:
Friday 22nd November 2019,10.30am, Old Tintern Station, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 7NX
Please email your organisations details along with the names of a maximum of four attendees to procurement@monmouthshire.gov.uk
This notice has been sent as a region specific notice. If you did not receive an alert about this you are not based in the specific region selected by the buying authority. Questions on why this was sent as a region specific notice should be sent to the buying authority.
(WA Ref:97108)
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