Please see below recently received from Cllr Barry Anderson giving update on the new ground maintenance contract between the various ALMOs including West North West homes Leeds and Continental who have taken over from Glendale since January 2012.

“Please find set out below some information on the new grass cutting service which started on 1^st January 2012. As you may or may not be aware Glendales used to have the grass cutting contract and they have been replaced by a company called Continental Landscapes Ltd.

The mobilisation programme has been successful and Continental started the new contract on the 3^rd of January 2012. Following a detailed induction training course for their front line staff, they started winter maintenance work on shrub and rose beds across the city on the 5^th of January and the monitoring carried out to date shows that they are delivering services to the required standards.

In view of the very mild winter weather conditions experienced to date, discussions are taking place with Continental to bring forward the first grass cut, now programmed to commence on 13th February 2012. There will be areas of grass that will not be accessible due to soft ground conditions or where spring bulbs have been planted and for these reasons, the first cut will be partial.

Set out below is a copy of the information being sent to residents, in case you see the grass being cut, or not, as the case may be, in February.”

Grass Cutting Service 2012 

Communication Bulletin: January 2012

Dear Resident,

Continental Landscapes has taken over responsibility for cutting grass in your area as of 1^st January 2012 and are preparing for the mowing season that normally commences in early March. Continental Landscapes will provide a grounds maintenance service to Leeds City Council housing areas within East North East Homes Leeds, Aire Valley Homes Leeds, West North West Homes Leeds, Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) and Highways.

The Winter of 2011-2012 has so far been one of the mildest on record with grass continuing to grow throughout the Winter period. Unless there is a sharp cold spell in January and February the grass will be very long in March making the first cut difficult and unsightly, with large volumes of grass growth being inevitable.

Planning the first cut
Continental Landscapes are planning to start cutting grass earlier this year in an attempt to get ahead of a flush of growth from the Winter. There may be difficulties with such an early cut and this communication bulletin will help explain what residents can expect.

What Continental Landscapes will do

• Ensure trained staff assess ground conditions prior to putting machines on site to avoid damage.
• Cut as many areas as possible utilising all but the largest of our machinery.
• Ensure trained staff have map details of bulb areas to avoid any damage.

What Continental Landscapes will not do

• Cut grass on steep banks which could be dangerous to staff due to wet and slippery conditions.
• Cut grass with poor natural drainage to prevent extensive damage.

Future Maintenance
Those sites omitted from the first cut due to poor ground conditions will be maintained to a standard that is consistent with the contract specification through delivery of the second and third cuts.

Contact Details
Should you have any queries regarding the details contained in this information sheet, please contact the following;

Thanks

Barry

Cllr. Barry Anderson
Adel & Wharfedale Ward
www.barryanderson.yourcllr.com