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Grounds Maintenance Service Standards

Grounds Maintenance Service Standards

Introduction

Land Services are responsible for the grounds maintenance of parks and designated open space areas in Clackmannanshire. Our service objective is to maintain, manage, improve and protect quality open space and landscaped areas. The provision of quality open space has a social, economic and environmental benefit to people's lives.

Aims

We aim to manage Clackmannanshire's parks, open spaces to offer:

• Peaceful enjoyment, recreation, entertainment and delight to those who use them.
• Enhancement, protection and conservation for the benefit of this and future generations.
• Well maintained, accessible, safe and secure parks and open spaces.
• Efficient and effective management proportionate to prevailing budget provision.

What does the grounds maintenance service do?

• Grass maintenance
• Shrub and flower bed maintenance
• Hedge cutting
• Sports field maintenance
• Weed control
• Tree maintenance
• Play area maintenance
• Litter control

The service has dedicated employees and uses up to date equipment to ensure the best possible service to the residents of Clackmannanshire.

Standards to expect from the grounds maintenance service

Grass maintenance

Grass maintenance will be carried out between April and October with frequency dependent on location, condition and growth. 

Some grass areas will be left to grow longer to encourage wildflowers and insects thus improving biodiversity.

Shrub and flower bed maintenance

Weeds in shrub and flower beds will be controlled by hand weeding, mulching and chemical control. Any litter within the planted area will be removed at the time of visit. All shrub and rose beds are pruned and shaped to ensure public safety and avoid obstruction, taking into account good horticultural practice.

Hedge cutting

Majority of hedges will be cut annually and if required a second cutting with all clippings removed. 

Sports field maintenance

Sports fields will be provided to meet the needs and aspirations of the user. Line markings and repairs will be completed as required. 

Tree maintenance

Requests for inspection of trees on land maintained by council will be promptly carried out. All works required following inspection will be placed on a tree work programme and carried out according to priority.

Where a branch intrudes into your garden from adjacent council owned land, you have the right to cut back to your boundary and leave branches beside the tree.  

If more substantial work is required, you must seek permission from Land Services by emailing: landserv@clacks.gov.uk, and if agreed, appoint a qualified tree surgeon.

Land Services must be involved to agree the scope of work and ensure the contractor meets the criteria to maintain trees, including controls required by the Scottish Road Works Commissioner when working alongside a road. 

Play area maintenance

All play areas will be regularly inspected for safety and cleanliness. All repairs will be carried out promptly to ensure continuous enjoyment of Clackmannanshire's play areas.

Litter control

Litter will be removed in compliance with the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2018.

What can I do to help?

Please have respect for all users:

• Ensure that you clean up after your pet,
• dispose of your litter, including chewing gum and extinguished cigarette ends in the litter bins provided, or take your rubbish home with you.

What are our customer care values?

• We will handle your request promptly, grass cutting related problems and emergency tree enquiries within 48 hours.
• We will provide a helpful and courteous service.
• We will be fair and courteous regardless of your ethnicity, disability or gender.
• We will fully protect your privacy and information about you will be treated as confidential.
• We will consult with users in the community regarding any significant changes or issues relating to our parks and open space areas.
• We will undertake all work within our cemeteries in a sympathetic and caring manner sensitive to the needs of the bereaved.
• Annually we aim to plant more trees than are removed to sustain and enhance Clackmannanshire's environment.