A report by Darren Harding, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia, providing the panel with:

·        Responses to questions raised relating to grass cutting and grounds maintenance

·        Social value of the Veolia contract and investment in the local environment and community

The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager introduced the report to the panel.   The Chair explained that members would ask questions as the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager went through the report. 

The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager read the document focussing first on the OSSP questions contained in the report as follows:

·        How the grass cutting regimes were determined.

·        How did Veolia respond to weather conditions and what capacity was there for spikes in demand.

·        How did Veolia plan for peaks in visitors to the parks.

·        What were the processes for ensuring grass cutting and litter picking worked well together.

·        What were the main challenges faced this summer and how did WBC and Veolia respond.

In response to a question from the chair as to how grass cutting schedules were met when there were problems, the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager explained that more resources would be utilised where possible.  Also, equipment would be replaced and there would be regular meetings with the client team. It was not usually necessary to prioritise – rather to keep to the pre-determined schedule but with some flexibility around cutting dates.

Members discussed how Veolia, Watford Community Housing and the County Council grass cutting services were coordinated.  The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager explained that Veolia and Watford Community Housing used the same contactor that included some cutting of highways verges.

The chair reminded the panel that Veolia street cleansing was not an agenda item for the meeting. 

In response to a further question from the chair, the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager explained that when additional resources were required these came both from existing staff through re-deploying to other duties and from agencies.

Members discussed how weather impacted on grass growth.  The Senior Contracts Manager advised that staff were deployed to other duties (such as hedge trimming) when growth levels were low.

Members turned discussions to risk assessment in relation to trees to ensure safety in inclement weather.  The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager and Section Head – Parks, Open Spaces and Projects explained that a tree manager was employed who checked on all trees over a three year cycle.  Veolia mapped the location of the trees documenting their condition and when they had been inspected.  If a problem arose with a tree on a highway this was a county matter; and information on when the tree had last been inspected was provided to them.  This was a much improved system.

In response to questions from members, the Head of Community and Environmental Services and the Section Head – Parks, Open Spaces and Projects:

·        Clarified that SLM were responsible for the maintenance of paddling pools in parks.

·        Explained that large cage refuse bins were deployed in parks during periods of high public usage and were taken away subsequently.  These were very effective in managing litter.

The Chair discussed apparent problems with coordinating litter picking prior to

grass cutting by the county council.  The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager explained that the matter was being taken forward by the Veolia Contracts Manager Streets and Parks.  Councillor Williams confirmed that liaison was taking place with the county council and that improved coordination was required.

Members debated how a range of volunteer groups could provide support to Veolia services and agreed to discuss the matter in more detail with the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager outside of the meeting.

The Veolia Senior Contracts Manager continued reading from the report in relation to:

·        Forward planning.

·        What activities did the Veolia parks team undertake to invest in the local community.

·        How effective was the team and what impact does it have for Watford residents.

·        What was planned for the future.

Members discussed the extension of the Green Gym in to Garston Park and wondered whether this could include extending in to the King George Playing Fields.  The Section Head – Parks, Open Spaces and Projects explained that this would be a matter of resources as Garston Park had just embarked on the project.  It would be good to see a further extension in to King George Playing Fields with the potential of seeking the award of the Green Flag also under consideration.  Community engagement would be important and the Council would look in more detail in to the Green Gym extension - and also working with Watford Community Housing.

The panel discussed the bulb planting programme; and the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager agreed that it would be helpful if ward councillors were informed of particular events. 

Members discussed the awarding of Green Flags to parks and considered this valuable in the Borough.  They requested a break-down of the funding provided to help in the achievement of the awards and also information spent by other local authorities where possible.  The Section Head – Parks, Open Spaces and Projects undertook to provide this to the panel explaining that some Heritage Lottery monies had been utilised.  Watford had an ambition to increase the number of parks awarded the Green Flag to 16 and other local authorities in the county were very positive about Watford’s approach.  The Head of Community and Environmental Services added that local residents were happy for the Green Flag programme to continue and that Cassiobury Park was in the top ten best parks in the country.

Members discussed wild life corridors and how these were taken in to account.  The Section Head – Parks, Open Spaces and Projects explained that there was a Green Infrastructure Strategy and that work was ongoing to restore the River Colne for example.  This work would prove challenging but the objective was to improve biodiversity.  He discussed the work at five local nature reserves and the activity to improve biodiversity at Garston Park.

In response to a question from the Chair about what Veolia would do differently this year compared to last, the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager explained that scheduling, planning and monitoring would be improved, there would be closer liaison with the Client Team and equipment would be better monitored.

The Chair thanked the Veolia Senior Contracts Manager for his contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED  –

1.      that the report and the panel’s comments be noted.

2.      that the actions agreed be undertaken.