Agenda item

ES20318

The report was presented to the committee so that Members could review idverde’s performance with respect to the contract for parks management and grounds maintenance services during 2022/23. An annual contract performance report was required under the contract procedure rules as the contract had a value that exceeded £500k.

Attending to present the report on behalf of LBB was the Assistant Director for Environment (Carbon Management and Greenspace), and Martin Bradley, the Operations Director from idverde. Also in attendance from idverde were Mark Garthwaiten (Operations Manager) and Richard Burton (Managing Director).

Members noted that the Annual Report was large and the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety suggested that a link could be provided instead. Mr Bradley responded that an Annual Report was required as part of their contract and that they wished to showcase their achievements, particularly in the areas of woodland, biodiversity and ecology. A Member suggested using Power Point to showcase the company. The Chairman commented that it was an excellent report and that he was particularly interested in what idverde was doing in terms of education. He stated that there was some room for improvement with respect to facilities. 

A Member referred to section 3.17 of the report which reported on incidences that were not dealt with within the agreed timescale. He asked if going forward, some context could be provided regarding the data. For example, it was noted in the report that ‘10 reported instances were not completed within the agreed SLA timescale’. The question was how many instances were there in total, so was this particular instance of ten failures with respect to ten occurrences, or a significantly greater amount. The Assistant Director said that percentages could be produced if required.

A Member requested that when the annual report was first published by idverde, that a link be made available to the committee. A Member commented on the effect that the winter planting regime had on the war memorial in Penge. She commented that on Remembrance Sunday, there were unsightly droopy green leaves around the Memorial in Penge. Mr Bradley responded that it was unfortunate that the winter planting regime was responsible, but it was the case that the winter planting regime (ready for the flowers to appear in the Spring) meant that no colourful winter plants would be on display. The Member suggested that next year the winter planting regime be deferred around the Penge War Memorial until after Remembrance Sunday.

A Member paid tribute to idverde’s Community Team. She asked if improvements could be made to the lighting around Beckenham Park and could anything be done to improve the current park standards—possibly with the aim of heading towards a ‘Green Flag’ award. Mr Bradley responded that he was aware of the considerable work that was being undertaken to improve conditions at Kelsey Park and that a management plan for Kelsey Park was being developed. He said that once the dust had settled and budgets were re-assessed, it may then be possible to assess how improvements to other parks could be made.

A discussion took place regarding the Nature Friendly Verges Trial. It was noted that a bio-diversity management regime was being trialled at 11 sites where hedges were simply cut once annually. So far, approximately 75% of those surveyed were in favour of the scheme. It was felt that there was a growing appetite amongst the public to protect and nurture the environment and verges provided valuable wildlife corridors. These trials were for two years and then a decision could be made as to whether or not the practice should continue. A Member stressed the need for proper communication with residents so that they were aware of where the trials were taking place. 

A Member commented that with respect to waste management in her ward, much litter (specifically plastic bottles) was seen left behind in the parks. She was of the view that a specific programme was required to collect plastic bottles for recycling so that they did not end up in landfill.

A Member mentioned Shaftsbury Park playground in the Plaistow Ward, saying that the park was in a state of disrepair and that there was a splintered slide in the park which was dangerous for young children. She also raised the issue of who was responsible for the maintenance of chapels in cemeteries. Mr Bradley responded that idverde was aware of their playground assets, and highlighted the problems of obtaining parts which primarily had to come from Europe. There was quite often long delays before parts arrived. Sometimes parts had reached ‘end of life’ and would need to be manufactured, which caused further delays. He acknowledged that this was something that had not been communicated properly to the Council or to the public. Chapels were the responsibility of the local authority. A Member commented that he was pleased to see the satisfaction survey had now gone online and suggested that numerical analysis be undertaken, from which trend analysis could be ascertained.

RESOLVED that the idverde Annual Contract Performance Report be noted.