Leasehire Equipment for Growers Powys

Description

PROJECT INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Working in partnership, Social Farms & Gardens, Open Food Network, Cultivate, Development Trusts Association Wales and Foothold Cymru, aim to demonstrate that the public sector CAN procure efficiently from local producers using methods that benefit the natural environment and local prosperity. Collaborating with Sustainable Food Places Officers in North Powys and Carmarthenshire, two Procurement Hubs are purchasing from local, small-scale growers, aggregating supply and providing produce to the public sector that meets (or exceeds) requirements in terms of ease, cost and sustainability. SUPPORTING GROWERS The project aims to: • Create new jobs in the rural economy. • Upskill growers. • Provide steady markets for existing horticulture growers and producers. • Provide training in agroecological farming practices as well as enterprise support. • Increase the capacity of growers to meet increasing public demand in North Powys. This pilot will be the test bed for future growers, Hubs and procurers. It will better equip small rural businesses to develop more sustainable and viable enterprises. Our long-term strategy is to use the learning from this pilot to develop the model including technological advancements, upscaling growers/producers and empowering local procurement champions within the public sector. We will be investing in local growers through training, networks and the provision of capital equipment. BRIEF OUTLINE We are looking for a single organisation with the will, capacity and knowledge to provide lease hire equipment to growers to increase their ability to supply the public sector in North Powys and to grow in ways that benefit nature. Initially, priority of access to the equipment will be given to small-scale, agroecological producers who are feeding into the procurement food hub pilot project (up to 10 growers). Longer term, other growers may also be eligible to hire equipment from the provider. Our aspiration is for a well-managed “library of things” that will be available for growers in and around North Powys at a nominal rate. Equipment could be provided on long-term lease to specific growers and/or short-term lease arrangements could be offered. Equipment will: • Help growers to use more nature-friendly methods • Help growers to be more productive • Help growers to develop and cultivate a wider product range • Help growers to manipulate their produce so it is suitable for public sector market • Help growers to transport their produce The contract holder will be required to: • Work with the local Sustainable Food Places Coordinator and Procurement Food Hub to assess the priority needs of local growers, within the framework of this project. • Purchase equipment following competitive tendering requirements and anticipating the longevity of the “library”. • Provide a lease hire agreement with sites to include on-site maintenance. Note: Social Farms & Gardens will provide a legal framework template for the lease hire. • Arrange and supervise delivery, installation, initial use and subsequent troubleshooting of equipment supplied. • Keep all necessary financial records relating to the equipment: o Date purchased o Description of equipment o Price paid (inc. net recoverable VAT) o Serial / Identification numbers o Location of the equipment o Any date of disposal o Any sale of net of VAT NB – NO equipment must be disposed of, transferred or dissipated before September 2028 without the prior written consent of Social Farms & Gardens (WG IoA 36.) The library of equipment should be easily accessible to growers in North Powys.