The future of a council grounds maintenance company, set up in the hopes it might bolster finances, is set to be discussed at an extraordinary meeting next week.
A report before South Kesteven District Council’s Joint Meeting of the Overview and Rural Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committees on Monday will look at whether to retain EnvironmentSK Limited, insource the service or put the service out to tender.
It also hints that, among other savings, council tenants on Assisted Garden Schemes could soon be charged by SKDC in a bid to recover costs associated with the maintenance of around 450 gardens in the district.
EnvironmentSK began operation in March 2019. Prior to this former SKDC leader Councillor Matthew Lee told Local Democracy Reporters that the plan was to bring grounds maintenance – at the time contracted out in the region of £1 million – back under authority control.
The scheme was announced originally by former South Kesteven District Council leader Matthew Lee who later stepped down.
However, the report on Monday says the business’ external contracting “only accounts for 9% of the overall turnout”.
The total cost to the council for maintenance for 2022/23 is £1.016M. This is split between £428,000 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and £588,000 General Fund.
“In assessing any future potential options for the delivery of grounds maintenance it will be important for the council to consider its current priorities,” said the report.
“EnvironmentSK Limited was established at a time when there was a greater emphasis on attracting external work and commercialising the service.
“However, the Corporate Plan 2020-23 places a greater emphasis on managing finances and services being delivered more efficiently and effectively.
“To ensure the council is achieving best value whilst maintaining a high quality service it is necessary to explore a range of delivery models.”
SKDC Cabinet member for Waste Services and Climate Change, Cllr Mark Whittington.
SKDC Cabinet member for Waste Services and Climate Change, Cllr Mark Whittington: said: “Monday’s meeting marks the beginning of an options appraisal when the committee will be asked if three potential options should be investigated further.
“We do not yet know which of these would deliver the best value for money while providing the high levels of service required, which is why this process is being undertaken.
“The results of the… appraisal will provide the framework of a recommendation to cabinet on the future delivery of the grounds maintenance service.”
Independent Councillor Ashley Baxter said he was surprised by the agenda item.
He disagreed with putting the contract out to the private sector for tender and would rather it was all brought inhouse.
Councillor Baxter said: “The reason we set ESK up was supposed to be that we would have more control of our grounds maintenance.
“It’s true we’ve had more flexibility but we appear to have failed to manage our finances properly and that seems to be the excuse for going out to private contractor.”
He added: “To me the free market wasn’t working and I have no reason to believe that taking it back out will help.”
Councillor Baxter understood there was a £150k loss but Local Democracy Reporters understands it was closer to £40k in 2021 with the council set to announce a profit in the latest figures.
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We are investigating a road traffic collision which happened just after 5pm today.
The crash happened on the A15 just south of Waddington and involved a black Peugeot 208 that collided with a tree. The driver of the car, a 56-year-old male, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The A15 was closed just before 6pm and is likely to remain closed for some time.
We are particularly keen to hear from those who were driving along the A15 this afternoon between 4pm and 5:10pm and may have captured dashcam footage of the road during the collision.
If you have dashcam footage or any other information that will assist in our enquiries, there are a number of ways you can get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 285 of 4 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 285 of 4 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a serious collision in Ingoldmells.
Just after 12.30pm on Saturday (2 July), we received reports of a collision involving a silver Vauxhall Vivaro and a 76-year-old male pedestrian on Hurdman Way.
The male pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The A52 at Ingoldmells was closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 209 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 209 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.