The contract is for the provision of grounds maintenance services for North Devon and Torridge Districts. The applicable land within North Devon and Torridge Districts is the responsibility or more than one contracting authority including Torridge District Council (which is the lead authority for this procurement), North Devon District Council, Barnstaple Town Council, Devon County Council and North Devon Homes (together the ‘Contracting Authorities'). The grounds maintenance services contract will therefore be with and run by all of the Contracting Authorities as equal parties but each of the Contracting Authorities will have individual requirements in terms of the grounds maintenance services on the lands for which they are responsible. Further details of this will be provided in the Tender Pack. The grounds maintenance services required comprise general grounds maintenance, tree inspections and works, play area inspection and maintenance, sports pitch maintenance, litter collection, grave works, cemetery maintenance and ancillary activities. The contract shall be for eight years from 1st April 2013 with an option of a two year extension.