Issue - meetings

Report ES15021

As part of the 2015/16 Budget process all areas of expenditure had been scrutinised with a view to delivering services in a more efficient and effective way, particularly given the significant funding gap identified in the four year forecast. This has included looking at the option of outsourcing services through the Commissioning approach where appropriate. It was proposed to vary the current Grounds Maintenance Contract with The Landscape Group to include the provision of Parks Management functions currently delivered ‘in house’, and extend the Contract until 31^st March 2019.

The proposals had been scrutinised by the Environment PDS Committee on 17th March 2015; the Committee had supported the recommendations but had wanted to see strong scrutiny of the new arrangements by the Council, the proposed Partnership Board and Friends Groups. 

The Leader of the Labour Group raised concerns about the proposals, questioning how savings would be achieved with redundancy costs, whether it was necessary to make savings from this contract, and suggesting that many volunteers might be reluctant to continue their work to support a private company rather than the Council. Officers confirmed that the savings to be achieved were set out in the report and, whilst noting the concern about volunteers, emphasised that it would still be very clear that volunteers would be working for their communities, not the contractor. She also asked about the impact on Crystal Palace Park, and it was confirmed that this was a separate item in the contract which could be varied as necessary to accommodate any changes. 

The Leader emphasised the Council’s commitment to this highly valued service and stated that quality and high standards should be maintained.

RESOLVED that

(1)  The Variation to the current Grounds Maintenance Contract with the Landscape group to include the functions outlined in the Report, and extend the Contract to 31^st March 2019 to allow the packaging and tendering of all Streetscene & Greenspace Contracts at that date, be approved.

(2)  The transfer of Parks and Greenspace Services and the associated staff, as outlined in Appendix A to the report, to The Landscape Group, be approved as outlined in the report.

(3) Authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to transfer the unplanned maintenance functions associated with parks and greenspaces to The Landscape Group if deemed appropriate.