Countryside Access - Application for approved supplier status

Pendle Council has an extensive network of public rights of way, many of which the Council has maintained since the authority was created in 1974. The rights of way are generally across privately owned land. The majority cross farmland used for keeping livestock or horses. Much of the maintenance work relates to the replacement of the stiles and gates which members of the public use where a footpath or bridleway crosses from one field to the next. Some of these structures are in remote locations where access can be difficult. The work also involves installing road side signposts.
Through this process we are seeking to appoint a number of suitable contractors to our Approved List to carry out the work required on stiles, gates, signposts and so forth. We are asking each contractor to provide prices for a range of standard work activities, fixed for a minimum 36 month agreement. The Council may then employ the services of one or more appointed contractors to carry out works during the course of any agreement.
The prices quoted will be the main factor in choosing which job should be done by which contractor, but other factors may also be taken into account such as the skills and equipment of each contractor. On this basis the majority of work is likely to be given to the company which quotes the lowest prices. Upon successful application, an agreement will exist between the Council and each contractor, to authorise countryside access work to be carried out on the Council’s behalf.