Decision details

To award a contract to Talis Amos Ltd for the supply of 1 x John Deere 6130M c/w CMS Telematics and Cameras, Window Guards and Turf Tyres (all as per specification) at £87,743.63 and 1 x Bomford Turner Kestrel 5.7m Side Arm Flail Attachment c/w Debris Blower and Spare Set of Flails (all as per specification) at £28.351.00 at a total cost of £116,094.63.

Ubico on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council, deliver grounds maintenance services across the Borough.

On this year’s capital replacement plan there are two pieces of equipment, a Massey Ferguson Tractor (WX06KZE) and a Bomford Rear Mounted Flail Attachment both of which are now I excess of 7 years old and are at the end of their natural life, becoming more unreliable and more costly to repair.

This procurement is in line with the Cabinet decision dated 30 November 2021 approving moving to alternative fuels or away from internal combustion engines for all our fleet and plant as quickly as practicable where alternatives are available and within available resources to support our climate change ambitions of net zero by 2030.

Unfortunately, at present, this sector of the market is some considerable way behind the light vehicle market and there are no EV options available.  However, the tractor being proposed will run on HVO not diesel.  The Rear Mounted Flail Attachment has no fuel source as it is powered by the tractor.

Ubico have carried out a tender exercise via the TPPL framework for the procurement of this tractor and fail which will be funded from within existing budget for asset replacement approved by Council as part of the budget setting process.

Officers have considered whether the service could continue to be delivered without this vehicle and attachment and considered that it could not.

Internal consultation has taken place with relevant officers. The Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services has been consulted.

Officers and the Cabinet Member agree there is a need to procure this vehicle.