Provision Of Tree And Countryside Framework Pre Market Engagement
Framework Description
Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council have been testing the market for a joint tree and countryside maintenance framework. This was a pre-market engagement exercise, including a face-to-face event on 28 April 2026, to refine the scope and approach before any formal tender. The councils are using the feedback to decide whether and how to proceed with a framework.
Context & Use Case
The two councils manage trees, countryside sites and public open spaces across their boroughs. A joint framework would let them commission arboricultural and countryside management services from vetted specialists without separate tenders. The councils sought supplier views on feasibility, capacity, deliverability, contract terms and specification clarity, so the eventual tender should reflect what the market can realistically deliver.
Scope of Services
Tree maintenance and arboriculture Countryside management and conservation Hedgerow and vegetation management Woodland management
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits arboricultural contractors, countryside management specialists and landscape firms working in Surrey. The framework is at the pre-market engagement stage, so there is nothing to join yet; the route in will be the formal tender if the councils proceed.
Buyer Benefits
Joint procurement lets two neighbouring councils share one route and offer suppliers a larger, more attractive package of work. They want contractors with real capacity, safe tree work practice, ecological awareness for countryside sites and a clear specification that avoids disputes.
Next Steps
The 28 April 2026 event has passed, but you can still email procurement@guildford.gov.uk to register interest and ask to be notified of the tender. Watch the Find a Tender notice for the formal procurement. Prepare arboricultural qualifications, safety records, references from councils and evidence of capacity across both boroughs.
How Athena Can Help
Pre-market engagement is the best time to prepare. Athena's bid/no-bid and bid planning advice helps you decide whether this joint council opportunity fits your capacity and how to position for it.
When the tender lands, our bid writers for arboricultural firms can build the quality responses and pricing, and our framework pipeline advice keeps this Guildford and Waverley opportunity in a 6–12 month plan alongside other grounds and tree frameworks in the South East.
