CP2259-22 Emergency Tree Fund Community Planting

Devon County Council are looking for a community interest company to lead on the implementation of various planting schemes across Devon throughout 2022 to 2023 (subject to extension). The successful bidder will act as a facilitator and will work on a range of community-based projects. The work will vary and will require careful planning in liaison with Devon County Council's Emergency Tree Fund Team. There are several elements to this work, accompanied with various requirements. The project will be funded through Devon County Council's Emergency Tree Fund. The successful bidder will act as a grantee and will receive an initial payment to cover the basic package of planting projects formerly identified by the Emergency Tree Fund Team. This package of work is subject to extension depending on the contractor's agreed commitment to the overall project. This document will provide opportunity to provide an indication of service costs based on the sites presently identified. The agreement will provide flexibility as the intention is to identify additional sites as the project develops; this means there may also be scope to identify additional tasks, which may be subject to a specified day rate. The number of days appropriate to allocate to project development of additional sites will be subject to agreement in advance of award of the contract. It is important to note that further tree stock provided for additional sites will be subject to a demonstration of best value for money. Main body of work: • Planning and development of volunteer planting events • Purchase of tree and planting accessories • Liaison with project partners • Project promotion to community • Publicity and media communications • Coordination and supervision of on-site planting • Follow up maintenance over 5 years, including replacement trees Additional work: • Build good relationships with Woodland Trust approved tree nurseries and reserve stock for future planting projects • Identify additional sites for planting (public land) • Support the development of agreements between Devon County Council and prospective project partners Project Specific Requirements: • Schemes must be primarily whip-based; standard planting (individual trees) and hedgerow planting is only acceptable if it is additional to whip planting. • Schemes must engage with community groups and all planting events should be supported by volunteers • Events must provide PL insurance and risk assessments Deliverables: • County-wide community engagement is an important deliverable. Schemes must be representative of the county and not bias to one district. • Schemes must support the wider Emergency Tree Fund planting targets; we expect to plant at least 6600 trees through this project proposal & contract • Schemes must support a variety of planting approaches (e.g. urban, rural, public greenspace etc) • Schemes must support the promotion of the Emergency Tree Fund.