Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Interim Head of Service (Operations) on the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification.

Approves the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification as the primary document to direct the future delivery of the service, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

By way of a report from the Interim Head of Service (Operations), presented in his absence by the Team Leader (Grounds Maintenance) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification as the primary document to direct the future delivery of the service. The Service Specification would be subject to review and refinement based on performance monitoring results and customer satisfaction findings.

Along with waste and recycling collections and the street cleansing service, the grounds maintenance service was one of the most visible services delivered by the Council and impacted directly on residents and businesses in the District.

The Grounds Maintenance Service Specification had been developed to better direct the grounds maintenance activities delivered by the Operations Service and to make maintenance frequencies and standards more transparent for residents. The service availability details and maintenance frequencies would form the core information on the Council’s website regarding the grounds maintenance service provided by the Council.

The grounds maintenance service includes grass maintenance; amenity shrub beds; pruning of roses; seasonal bedding displays; maintenance of dykes, ditches and watercourses; and minor tree works.  The Cabinet were referred to the core hours of future delivery of the service as detailed in Table 1 of the submitted report.

Having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) the Cabinet,

RESOLVED

to approve the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification as the primary document to direct the future delivery of the service, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

The Panel is to receive the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification.

With the aid of a report by the Interim Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Grounds Maintenance Service Specification was presented to the Panel. The Service Specification has consolidated the existing Service Strategy with the aim of better directing the Grounds Maintenance activities delivered by the Operations Service.

Arising from a question regarding the maintenance of open space at Loves Farm, St Neots, the Panel has been advised that the land is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council and that they have their own service specification for Grounds Maintenance differ to the Council’s.

Members have been informed that the Grounds Maintenance Service will be audited to ensure that maintenance frequencies are correct with those incorrect frequencies amended accordingly. The Panel were informed that during auditing the performance standard would also be assessed.

Following a question regarding the inclusion of Ramsey Cemetery on the proposed work plans the Panel was informed that the Council has a contract with Ramsey Town Council for grounds maintenance work at Ramsey Cemetery.

The Panel has been advised that there will be regular feedback on Grounds Maintenance with further reports at meetings of the Panel each quarter.