Under year 2 of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) the Essex Witch Heritage Trail Project received a capital grant totalling a value of £49,385, this amount was to include the carved bench, trail boards and also additional elements to enhance the trail.
As a result, Tendring District Council placed a Request for Quotation seeking tender submissions from potential providers for the service of designing, production/carving, delivery and installation of 4 bespoke carved wooden benches and 4 personalised information boards.
Whilst 6 suppliers were identified and approached, Tendring District Council received a total of 1 application(s) that was able to meet the requirements of the project in compliance with terms and conditions.
In the first instance, the application was reviewed against the specification, set out in the Request for Quotation. Once the application had successfully passed this stage, it was reviewed against an evaluation matrix that relates to the initial specifications for the project.
The decision therefore outlined that:
1)the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Heritage concurs with the officer decision to the appointment of Essex Chainsaw Carving by Alasdair Craig and awards the contract to Essex Chainsaw for the Carving, design, production, delivery and Installation of 4 bespoke carved wooden benches and 4 personalised information boards at a value of £29,000
2)the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Heritage agrees with the officer decision to entering into contract with Essex Chainsaw Carving by Alasdair Craig) at the value of £29,000.
3)the portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Heritage agrees with the officer decision to the associated use of up to £29,000 from the UK Rural England Prosperity Fund.
A concurrence has been signed by the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Leisure.

Following a Request for Quotation (RFQ) exercise, the contract for the Tendring Witch Heritage Trail project is to be awarded, appointed and for a contract to be entered into with Essex Chainsaw Carving by Alasdair Craig.

Essex Chainsaw Carving will design, produce/carve, deliver and install 4 bespoke carved wooden benches and 4 wooden information boards. Funding for the total value of £29,000 to come from Rural England Prosperity Fund and for the final project to be completed by 31st March 2025.

Option 1 - To not award the contract, this would potentially result in underspent funding being returned to Government.