Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a decision 3 December 2020 to approve the progression of the HCCI project. This included a provision of £320k for the purchase of “City Trees”.

This provision included £20k which will be commissioned to BBLP to identify potential locations for installation of the “City Trees” to maximise the air-quality benefits offered. This leaves a remaining budget of £300k for the purchase and installation of the “City Trees”. The budget will also cover ground work prelims by a third party. Any remaining underspend from this element will be reallocated to the City Greening project.

“City Trees” are a unique and bespoke product that provides a moss filtration system to improve air quality.

Research has been undertaken to identify alternative providers but was unsuccessful, and several frameworks have been considered for potential procurement but assessment on a desktop basis given the time constraints on a like for like basis delivery would be difficult to achieve.

On this basis an exemption to the Contract Procedure Rules has been completed and signed off by the council’s procurement, legal and finance departments as well as the Interim Director for Economy and Place.