AwardedAwarded 30 April 2026

Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate

Durham County Council · Local authority

In brief

Durham County Council awarded grounds maintenance work to Kookaburra Environmental Ltd and Lumley Tree Services on 30 April 2026.

It is a framework worth up to £150,000 including VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 11 months, up to 23 months with extensions, starting 1 May 2026.

It is split into 2 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate. The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract split into two Lots. The sites generally fall into one of two categories as below and bidders are invited to tender for either one or both Lots. Lot 1 with 32 sites each offer more than 4 hectares (ha) of thinning per site. These sites are expected to make a financial return for the contractor which may cover their costs but this is not guaranteed. Bids to carry out the work for Lot 1 should reflect the fact that it is likely to be substantial timber thinnings to be brought to market by the Contractor. Lot 2 with 17 sites each offer less than 4 ha of thinning per site. These sites offer less Page 2 to 7 volume and sometimes poorer extraction access or poorer opportunities to stack timber. Bids to carry out work for Lot 2 will reflect the small-scale nature of this work and the likelihood of a low volume of thinnings to be brought to the market by the Contractor. For each Lot, the Council intends to appoint a successful Contractor as number one ranked bidder on the framework. The second placed bidder will be ranked second on the Framework for each Lot and held in reserve

Lots

LotTradeValue
Lot 1 - 32 Sites
1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027
What this lot covers

Lot 1 with 32 sites each offer more than 4 hectares (ha) of thinning per site. These sites are expected to make a financial return for the contractor which may cover their costs but this is not guaranteed. Bids to carry out the work for Lot 1 should reflect the fact that it is likely to be substantial timber thinnings to be brought to market by the Contractor. Please refer to the tender documentation for full details.

—£150,000
Lot 2 - 17 Sites
1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027
What this lot covers

Lot 2 with 17 sites each offer less than 4 ha of thinning per site. These sites offer less volume and sometimes poorer extraction access or poorer opportunities to stack timber. Bids to carry out work for Lot 2 will reflect the small-scale nature of this work and the likelihood of a low volume of thinnings to be brought to the market by the Contractor. Please refer to the tender documentation for full details.

—£150,000

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Kookaburra Environmental Ltd (SME)Lot 1 - 32 Sites£60,000
1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027
Kookaburra Environmental Ltd (SME)
Lumley Tree Services (SME)
Lot 2 - 17 Sites£60,000
1 June 2026 to 31 March 2027

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 022332-2026
  2. Contract details notice · UK7, notice 053781-2026

About the buyer

Durham County CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

267

Awards

161

Suppliers it has used most for grounds maintenance

  1. Wootton Parish Council - Provision and Installation of Two New Play Areas

    Wootton Parish CouncilNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestGrounds maintenance and landscaping, Construction

    Closing soon3 days left2 lotsSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £160kestimated
  2. 3 Year Floral Display Contract

    St Ives Town Council (Cambridgeshire)North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestGrounds maintenance and landscaping

    Open15 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £40kestimated
  3. Cliffe Park Play Area Refurbishment

    Dronfield Town CouncilNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestGrounds maintenance and landscaping, Construction

    Open17 days leftSuitable for SMEs

    £300kestimated
  4. Grounds Maintenance Contract

    Totnes Town CouncilNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestGrounds maintenance and landscaping

    Open29 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £60kestimated

From notice 022332-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 12 March 2026, last updated 8 June 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.