Aberystwyth Christmas Lighting 2026-28

Section 1 - Scope What the council is looking for The Council is seeking to appoint a contractor to undertake the annual inspection, testing, installation, connection and removal of festive lighting and decorations across Aberystwyth. The Council owns a stock of decorations for the purpose. The contractor must be a suitably qualified and competent electrician, and have demonstrable experience of carrying out similar works, in particular of carrying out electrical work at height and over the public highway. The contract will be for a duration of three years, with an option to extend for an additional two years at the Council’s discretion. Description of works 1. Preparation of decorations In September each year, the contractor shall attend the Council’s storage location to undertake preparation of the decorations. This shall include: a. Inspection of all decorations, to ensure that all are in good working order; b. Inspection of all electrical components, including wiring, barrel connectors, wire connectors etc.; c. Electrical testing and certification of all components (PAT BS 7671); d. Remedial repairs as necessary (e.g. replacement bulbs etc.); e. Cleaning as necessary. The contractor shall satisfy themselves of the safety and good working condition of all the decorations and associated parts. Any faults or shortcomings shall be reported to the Council, together with a reasonable estimate of work needed to rectify the position, in adequate time to meet the switch-on date. The Council shall be free to seek other estimates. The costs of minor remedial works shall be borne by the contractor. 2. Installation To be completed in the month of November, commencing after Remembrance Sunday and to be completed in ample time for the switch-on date. The switch-on date is usually the last weekend in November / first weekend in December. The installation shall include: a. Inspection, testing and certification of all anchorage points prior to any installation; b. Inspection, testing and certification of all electrical installations/circuits; c. Installation of icicle drape street crossing lights; d. Dressing of real and steel Christmas trees; e. Installation of appropriate digital time clocks, programmed for all decorations to be operational between the hours of 15:00 and 01:00 each day. 3. Availability and emergency The contractor shall undertake regular (weekly) visual inspections of the decorations and undertake minor remedial works where necessary; any substantial works needed shall be reported to the Council, together with a reasonable estimate of work needed to rectify the position. The Council shall be free to seek other estimates. The costs of minor remedial works (e.g. fuses, resetting RCCBs etc.) shall be borne by the contractor. The contractor shall provide 24 hour availability throughout the whole duration of the decorations’ installation, with attendance to any reported emergency within 2 hours. The contractor’s details may be shared with the local highway authority(ies) for this purpose. 4. Removal All decorations shall be switched off by the Twelfth Night (i.e. 5 January), and shall be removed in their entirety by no later than 31 January. Decorations are to be removed and stored neatly and labelled in storage containers provided. Once dismantled, all decorations are to be returned to the Councils storage location. Technical Requirements 1. General a) All works must be carried out in accordance with the standards set out in the Code of Practice for the Installation, Operation and Removal of Seasonal Decorations (County Surveyors Society / Institution of Lighting Professionals). Knowledge and experience of the Code is essential. b) Membership of the HEA (Highway Electrical Association) and HERS (Highway Electrical Registration Scheme) is desirable. c) The contractor must be familiar with the anchor point testing process before carrying out any electrical works; this will involve the use of anchor point testing …