Service Improvements Agreed on Grass Cutting
On Tuesday 3 December, Cabinet agreed eleven actions aimed at improving grass cutting, managing shrub and hedge growth and establishing new wildflower areas to boost biodiversity across the borough.
Cabinet has acknowledged the service challenges experienced during summer 2024, discussed extensively with the council’s contractor, Continental Landscape Ltd (CLL) and agreed on a range of improvements. These improvements have also been endorsed by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Task and Finish Group.
A key improvement is the introduction of a zonal approach to maintenance. Dedicated teams will focus on completing all tasks within a specific zone — such as grass cutting, strimming, and blowing — before moving to the next zone. This approach will also cover play areas and communal residential spaces managed by the council. Shrubs and hedges will receive a more thorough cutback to address seasonal growth effectively.
The council plans to improve communication with the community through an article in the next edition of ‘ONE Magazine’, updates on the council website, and regular posts on social media throughout the grass-cutting season. Additionally, the feasibility of creating more designated wildflower and long-grass areas to enhance biodiversity will be explored.
It was also noted that CLL has continued to invest in the service and have recently purchased eight new mowers and pole cutters to more easily cut overgrown branches and hedges.
Cllr Sandreni Bonfante, Executive Member for Environment said: “The Council values feedback as a tool to improve its services, and Cabinet has acknowledged the service challenges experienced this year. We have worked hard with CLL to do what we can to prevent a repeat of the issues experienced earlier this year. I am confident that by putting all these actions in place, our residents will see marked improvements in our service in the new year.”
Full Cabinet Papers.