Agenda item

The report reviews the performance of the summer grounds maintenance programme undertaken during 2020/21 in order to seek continuous improvements to service delivery and ensure that the best possible outcomes for our communities are achieved from the resources available.  (Report enclosed as Appendix F).

The report reviewed the performance of the summer grounds maintenance programme undertaken during 2020/21, in order to seek continuous improvements to service delivery and ensure that the best possible outcomes for our communities were achieved from the resources available.  (A copy of the report is attached to the signed minutes as Appendix F).

Paul Jones, Service Director – Local Services outlined the report which covered:

·       The benefits of seasonal working hours for staff and in terms of efficiency savings.

·       Core grass cuts had been achieved despite a short suspension at the start of the pandemic to review safe working practices and hire additional vehicles.

·       Cramlington Town Council were withdrawing from the environmental partnership on 31 March due to concerns regarding performance.

·       Target met for highway verge cutting on strategic and non-strategic rural roads between June and July.  Some verges with plants of high conservation value were undertaken later in the season following discussions with ecology and community groups.

·       Weed control had been challenging due to warm, wet and windy conditions.  It had also been hampered by cars parked in residential streets due to residents working from home.

·       Priority 1 urgent tree works were routinely completed within 7 days.  A backlog of non-essential, but desirable work remained outstanding and addressed when permitted.  The Tree Strategy was to be reviewed during 2021.

·       14,621 (67.6%) of the free trees had been distributed to residents but the national lockdown had meant that the remaining events had to be cancelled.  The undistributed trees were to be planted by NCC at a variety of sites.

·       Floral displays by Town and Parish Councils had continued to be supported although the Northumbria in Bloom competition had not taken place.

·       Delivery of effective grounds and site maintenance had never been more important to ensure residents could enjoy their local space given national restrictions.  The number of parks achieving Green Flag accreditation had increased from 9 to 11, and for the first time included Eastwood Park, Prudhoe.

·       Grounds maintenance staff were redeployed to winter service duties in periods of severe winter weather, taking priority over their normal ground’s maintenance duties.

·       Trials of electric powered hand tools had been well received by staff.  These aimed to reduce the carbon footprint and level of hand arm vibration.

·       Alternative methods of weed control (hot water, thermal and mechanical removal) were to be trialled during 2021/22 as the license for glyphosate was due to end in December 2022.

The following issues were raised by Councillors:

·       Use of wildflower planting be increased on roadside verges, particularly use of flowers that self-seeded.  Alternative approaches were adopted when requested by town and parish councils.  Different arrangements for maintenance were required in these areas as they needed to be cut, removed and reseeded; it was not a cheaper option to traditional roadside verge maintenance.

·       Residents be encouraged to maintain the areas in the immediate vicinity of their properties.  Individuals had never been prevented from keeping areas clean and tidy.  Volunteers were welcomed and opportunities promoted wherever possible.

·       Use of brushes to remove dust and soil would assist with the removal of weeds.  Use of road sweepers to remove weeds was effective with use of an alternative wire brush heads which tore and shred vegetation.  However, this was resource intensive in a large county.

·       Advance notification of activity in urban areas would enable residents’ vehicles to be moved to enable the activity to be undertaken more effectively.

·       Consideration be given to ensure that the right tree was planted in the right location.

·       Use of blue dye be reconsidered when applying herbicides.

·       Whether tree surveys continued to be undertaken at school premises following the very sad death of a young school child in Newcastle.  A review of arrangements had been undertaken by the Corporate Health and Safety and Estate Teams, who had responsibility for inspections of school properties and specialist support was brought in when required.  Arrangements for tree surveys had also been refined for areas such as public parks to avoid the risk to the public of falling branches.

·       The ethics and impact of alternative powered hand tools.

·       The importance of nurturing  good working relationships with the town and parish councils and the value of the environmental partnerships.  This was not financially viable for some of the smaller councils.

Members expressed their appreciation to the front-line teams for the work that had been undertaken during a difficult 12-month period.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The achievement of all core grounds maintenance service standards this year, be noted, during what has been an exceptionally challenging year.

b)    The record number of Green Flag awards achieved this year, be noted.

c)    The comprehensive additional Covid control measures put in place to protect staff and the public, be noted.

d)    The continued high performance of verge cutting, be noted.

e)    The enhanced service standards achieved jointly with Town and Parish Councils that we have partnership agreements with, be noted.

f)      Future developments for the service relating to planned trials for an evaluation of alternative methods of weed control to the current application of chemical herbicide, be noted.

g)    The decision of Cramlington Town Council to withdraw from its partnership with NCC, be noted.