Council 'more efficient' after own grounds maintenance

The authority is responsible for 750,000 sq metres of land in the district

Complaints have reduced "significantly" since grounds maintenance was taken back in-house, Torridge District Council has said.

The authority is responsible for 750,000 sq metres (185 acres) of land in the district including cemeteries, sports pitches, parks and verges.

The council ended its contract with Tivoli in 2022 and spent £173,000 on equipment to complete the work itself.

Operational services manager Richard Haste said it was now "more efficient".

Standard of maintenance

Mr Haste told members of the internal overview and scrutiny committee the standard of maintenance dropped during the Covid years.

He said the contractor struggled to get staff which resulted in lots of complaints.

"We are resourced now to provide a good service and the only thing we are up against is the elements," he said.

The council bought its own shredder for producing compost to reduce ongoing revenue costs, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It said other changes to services included only purchasing perennial plants for parks and hiring an additional summer season worker to cover annual leave and sickness.

Biodiversity sites

Mr Haste said the council had also identified sites of biodiversity where grass could be left to grow outside of the town centre to help avoid complaints from the public.

"Biodiversity sites do not have to be smack bang in the centre of town because complaints often outweigh the desired effect," he said.

"I know if I leave an edge around a park to grow, all that will become is an area for dog faeces and litter."

Mr Haste said the service came in below budget in the first year, but was now about the same as what they paid the contractor, although was a more efficient service and resourced properly.