PRESS RELEASE
Release date: Immediate
Council to consider creating Grounds Maintenance company.
South Kesteven District Council has decided to investigate forming a grounds maintenance company to take care of grass cutting, hedge trimming and maintenance of flower beds. The proposed local authority controlled company would look after all the council’s parks and municipal open spaces and is also expected to take on similar work for other organisations including town and parish councils.
The preferred option was chosen from four alternatives presented to the Council’s Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee which was held at the Council’s depot in Grantham on Wednesday 20th June. The other options included a competitive tender, setting up a partnership with another local authority or taking the grounds maintenance work completely in-house.
Details of the options presented to the SKDC Environment Overview and Scrutiny Ctte can be found here: http://moderngov.southkesteven.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=630&MId=3659
Coun Ashley Baxter (Ind) who represents the Market and West Deeping ward comments: “This is a real step forward. The idea is that the council will employ its own grounds maintenance teams but will still have the flexibility to offer support to other authorities including the parish, town and county councils. There is also the possibility that external work will bring in additional income which can be reinvested into delivering frontline services. It is much better that the Council carries out works directly and on a commercial basis rather than allowing a large company to make profits at our expense. The proposed company would also be able to adapt more quickly in response to comments and suggestions from councillors and members of the public”.
The recommendation will now be considered in more detail at further meetings with a view to the new arrangements taking effect early in 2019.
ENDS
A photo taken during a tour of the Alexandra Road depot in Grantham. From left to right: Coun Dr Peter Moseley (Con), Coun Nick Craft (SK-Ind), Coun Breda Griffin (Con), Coun Ashley Baxter (Ind).
DeepingDo - The blog of Ashley Baxter, Independent Councillor and founder member of the Deepings Rebel Alliance! 
Sounds like a good idea.
Will SKDC hire them out individually, or on block to every Parish Council
They haven’t reached that level of detail yet. There is a legal limit to the amount of external work the company take on. At the meeting I argued we should target parish and other public sector contracts before trying to find private sector clients. This will avoid undermining the client base of local gardening/landscaping small businesses.