2023

GM1004 - Cut and lift methods and machinery for wildflower meadows or areas of reduced cutting

A member authority would be interested to know what methods and machinery other Local Authorities are using to both create and manage wildflower meadows and/or areas of reduced cutting. Information on how lifted cuttings are being used or disposed of would also be welcome

GM1003 - Play area inspection and/or resulting minor repairs

A member authority is reviewing the inspection of its play areas and equipment Please can you answer the following questions:

• Who undertakes the inspection of play areas/equipment?

• What is the frequency of inspection?

• If an external contractor, is it a national body or local company/body?

• Do you have a sample contact you can share?

• Who undertakes any minor repairs?

 

GM0993 - Tree removals and cost recoveries

A member authority would like to know:

• How other authorities are responding to requests to remove council trees due to alleged subsidence damage to adjacent private properties?

• If any councils, who have refused to remove or pollard their trees, have been pursued by property insurers to recover the costs associated with the alleged damage following underpinning or repairs to the properties?

• Policies, procedures, or protocols that other councils have in place that guide assessment and decision making in relation to such matters

 

GM0992 - Choosing the right asset management software for grounds maintenance, arboriculture and parks

A member authority would like to know what asset management and operational software are other authorities using for grounds maintenance, arboriculture and parks? The authority is aware of “Whitespace” and “Confirm” but are wondering if there are any others?

 

GM0991 - Making gardens and driveways more eco friendly and biodiverse

A member authority is looking to deliver a campaign to promote residents to make their front gardens and driveways more eco-friendly / biodiverse. They would be interested in hearing from other authorities who have run similar nature friendly/ front garden/ green public engagement initiatives and could provide us with some more information. More specifically we would like to know:

1. What were the specific goals of your campaign?

2. How did you deliver your campaign?

3. Have you been able to measure any impacts?

4. Your contact details for any future conversations

 

GM0990 - Charging for events in parks

A member authority is seeking information regarding charging for events in parks. The member authority is specifically interesting in the following:-

What does charge for events within Parks (with a focus on commercial events) – can they share there charging structure? If applicable:

• Have they ever benchmarked their costs?

• What justification did they use to increase charging fees (if they did indeed increase the costs

GM0989 - Attracting Skilled Arborists

A member authority is finding it increasingly more difficult to attract skilled arborists on the rates of pay it currently offers. The authority would like to know if any other councils:

1.Currently operate arboricultural services in-house i.e. tree inspectors, arborists, arboricultural officers, or buy these services in via sub-contractors?

2.Where you do have in-house teams, what is this made up of in terms of roles and numbers?

3.What are the annual rates of pay/scale points that are paid to the roles within your arboricultural structures?

4.Are you currently using any incentives to attract arborists i.e. market rate supplement, bonuses, flexible working etc?

 

GM0988 - Grass cutting frequencies

A member authority is keen to find out information on grass cutting frequencies from other authorities.

GM0986 - DBS check for staff in parks and open spaces

A member authority would be interested in hearing from other authorities who have staff that work parks and open spaces. Do you require more than a basic level DBS check for staff that carry out grounds maintenance duties? They currently do an enhanced check because they used to have staff working in schools. Now they don’t, they would like to drop down to a basic check. They would be interested in hearing what other authorities do around this.

GM0984 - Water based leisure activities in river corridors

A network member is responding to a request to permit activities such as stand up paddle boarding and wild water swimming in its’s river corridors and would like to understand the position in respect of other local authorities that are responsible for river corridors and access to them. Specifically the network member would like to understand if other LA’s that who are responsible for river corridors / access to them, consent these recreational pursuits, if yes what management arrangements are in place to regulate. Secondly the network member would like to understand if any LA’s have experienced fatalities as a consequence of this type of activity, whether that be on a regulated or unregulated basis and, if yes what has the LA’S response / experience been?

GM0983 - Reactions to ceasing the use of glyphosate in parks

A member authority is currently trailing not using Glyphosate within their Parks, and are interested to hear from any other Boroughs that have tried this . In particular they would be interested to know of they have come up against any issues and / or received feedback from the public either negative or positive.

GM0981 - No Mow May

A local authority is keen to find out if any APSE member local authority take part in the No Mow May campaign? If so:- 1.How many areas are included, and what are the size and nature of these locations e.g. parks/housing estates/verges etc?

2.Do you stop cutting at the end of April and re-start in June, or do you have different arrangements, and if so, what are they?

3.What operational benefits and challenges are associated with restarting cutting in June?

4.Have you changed/considered changing the specification of grass cutting machinery to cope with the growth in June/later in the year?

5.Have you observed a net change in species density/biodiversity in No Mow May areas compared to other grassland areas?

6.Are there any lessons learnt you can share?

 

GM0980 - Grounds Maintenance Contracts For Schools

A member authority is reviewing the grounds maintenance contracts they offer to schools, and they would be interested to hear from other local authorities about the following:

1. Are contracts individually placed or are they placed collectively with other schools?

2.What is the length of contract offered?

3. Are contracts exclusively grounds maintenance or grouped with other functions such as building cleaning for example?

4. Do contracts include herbicide applications? Are non-herbicide use options offered? If so what alternative methods are offered?

5. Are maintenance teams multi-functional or are they set up for individual tasks, (mowing, pitch marking and spraying etc).

6. Are any of the contract elements sub-contracted out, (Hedge cutting or mowing etc).

7. Would members be willing be share rate details?

 

GM0979 - Managing Angling in your Local Authority Area

A member authority is looking to gather information as to how other local authorities manage angling?

They would particularly like to know:

How do other local authorities manage angling on pools they own? E.g., permits or licenses.

How long are the licenses held/issued for?

Are clubs constituted trusts or are they societies/associations who arrange their own trustee insurance (through the Angling Trust or similar)?

GM0977 - Compensation from allotment tenant failing to maintain allotment plot

The Allotments Act 1950 c.31, Section 4 entitles the Council to seek compensation from any tenant in respect to any deterioration of the land caused by failure of the tenant to maintain it clean and in a good state of cultivation and fertility. A member authority have struggled with seeking this compensation in the past, and are finding that bringing plots back into good order is eating away at an already limited budget.

Therefore they would be interested to know:

• If members use this legislation to recover costs. If yes how to they manage the process?

• Are there other ways that members manage to recoup / cover the costs of bringing a plot back in to a good state if it has been neglected and become overgrown etc.

GM0976 - Landscape Service provision

A member authority would be interested in hearing from other authorities that provide a Landscape Service.

They would like to know

What variety of work you do

Internal or External work

What is your hourly/daily charge

 

GM0975 - Addressing Services - Robotic Lawn Mowers 

This local authority is looking at the use of robotic lawn mowers in areas of open green space, public parks, closed churchyards and cemeteries. They would be interested to hear from any other local authorities who have moved to this system of works with the robotic machinery and if:

1. there has been any cost analysis done on set up costs, ongoing maintenance cost and if any efficiency savings were projected or made by the implementation of the equipment?

2. If there has been any abuse of the equipment e.g vandalism, theft, danger to the public or incidents or public liability claims?

 

GM0974 - Tree asset data bases - 040723           

A member authority’s Forestry team are interested to know what other cloud-based IT solutions/ databases LA’s are using to manage their tree assets, specifically around risk management, compliance, recording maintenance, surveys, planting instructions, with the capability to produce work instructions and auditing.

Any information would be gratefully received.

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GM0973 - Results from participation in No Mo May – 040723

A member authority is interested to hear the experience of other Councils who took part in No Mow May, particularly with regards to the following questions:

To what extent did you do No Mow May i.e. small trial or large areas, which areas were included (or excluded if easier to list), etc.?

How many times a year do you cut grass verges? Do you cut and drop or cut and collect?

Did you have to purchase/hire any different machinery to cut the grass once mowing resumed in June?

How did you keep residents informed and engaged in No Mow May?

How did you measure the success of No Mow May in terms of biodiversity improvements?

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GM0972 - Fishing Bans In Parks - 040723            

As part of a member council’s greenspaces, they manage a large public park with 2 large ponds in it.

The ponds currently have a ‘no fishing’ rule, but there has been increasing problems of park users fishing on the ponds. A large majority of these are children who claim not to know fishing is not permitted.

They also have had several incidents of wildlife crime, with young cygnets and birds injured due to fishing hooks and wire.

After discussions with their legal services and other agencies, it appears that they cannot legally enforce a fishing ban. All bans in place or regulations are related to permit fishing and rod licences not to the ponds themselves.

The situation is gathering negative media attention and the council is under increasing pressure from the public to prevent people fishing, however as previously identified, there is currently no legal way for their enforcement teams to achieve this.

Therefore they wish to know if any other member councils have any advice or know how other Authorities and Councils deal with regulating fishing in parks?

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GM0971- Grounds Maintenance staff allowed to wear shorts - 260623 

A member authority is enquiring whether any local authorities have a policy/allow Grounds Maintenance staff to wear shorts in warm weather

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GM0970 - Alternative use of public green space – 260623

A member authority is looking into alternative use of their areas of public open green space to perhaps turn into; allotments, meadows, or carry out re-wilding projects etc.

They would be interested to hear from any local authorities who have converted greenspaces into such uses, or are considering such a move.

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GM0965 - Martyn's law and its impact on events in parks and open spaces - 310523     

A member authority is getting an increasing number of questions from their local authority park department contacts regarding the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill (Martyn’s Law) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-draft-bill-overarching-documents  which will start making its way through Parliament soon.

The law is likely to be amended during its passage but will undoubtably affect parks and outdoor events whatever amendments are included. The member authority has the requirements in mind when they update their events policy template later in the year, but they are wondering if there is any work other local authorities are doing to meet the potential requirements of the law e.g. corporate policies templates, guidance notes to community groups etc.

The member authority is keen to see a uniform approach across all local authority events affected by the law and is looking for examples to ensure everyone is ‘singing off the same hymn sheet’.

They would therefore be keen to receive any consultation or feedback results or opportunities that they could help feed into and would be happy to support and provide a park and open space specific context.

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GM0964 - Information regarding the declaration of an ecological emergency – 310523

They are particularly interested in speaking to or receiving information from anyone who has declared an ecological emergency after declaring a climate emergency to see how:

Their targets differ/link to the climate emergency.

How they promoted the ecological emergency without being perceived as 'greenwashing',

What kind of targets/actions they set and how they quantify success? i.e. is it based on wildlife records, number of associated species, number of new wildlife features etc.?

The enquiring authority would also be interested to know how councils obtained baseline data to compare it with.

Did they do a natural capital asset assessment?

What projects or examples do they have where they have worked outside of council land/with the community to meet targets.

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GM0963 - Operating volunteer schemes - 260523           

A member authority would like to receive information from other authorities which operate volunteer schemes around street cleansing and grounds maintenance i.e. volunteer litter pickers and nature reserve volunteers, and how they manage their volunteers.

They would like to know whether other authorities use a particular volunteer management system, and if so could they detail which one they use and how effective it is?"

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GM0962 - Allotment Charges - 230523 

A member authority is interested to collect information relating to allotment charges.

In particular they wish to know:

• What rent do you currently charge for allotment rent for one year?
• Do you plan to increase it for next year and if so will it be above inflation?
• Do you have a planned amount it will increase to?

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GM0961 - Overnight locking of parks - 230523 

A member authority is enquiring whether other local authorities are locking any parks overnight, if so:

• how are they doing it (staff on shifts, security firm, goodwill of residents etc),
• how have they decided which parks to lock and which to leave open,
• do they have any issues they could share such as staff lone working and if so have they found any solutions?

Importantly, if members have chosen to leave sites unlocked, does this on balance work ok, or ended up costing more money/issues/complaints?

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GM0960 - People counters in parks - 180523     

A member authority’s parks are under increased pressure following the large number of visitors which occurred during the pandemic. These numbers do not seem to be declining post-pandemic.

They are keen to understand site pressures and want to use S106 funding to install new, up to date people counters. This data will help them direct funds more effectively in order to manage those sites under the most pressure from increased footfall.

They would therefore be interested to receive the following information from other councils which currently use people counters in parks and greenspaces.

Specifically, they would like to know:

• What people counters they use and who the supplier is
• How much do the people counters they use cost to purchase maintain.
• If they download the data remotely or go to the site to download
• Would they recommend the product and have they encountered any problems?
• How long have they been in use

 Any other information you think would be useful.

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GM0958 - Carbon commitments from event organisers using parks and greenspaces – 300623

An enquiring authority is interested to know what carbon commitments do other local authorities request event organiser sign up to when delivering events at council owned facilities such as parks and greenspaces?

How have they been received and have they come up against any issues or barriers to gaining these commitments?

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GM0958 - Carbon commitments from event organisers using parks and greenspaces – 150523

An enquiring authority is interested to know what carbon commitments do other local authorities request event organiser sign up to when delivering events at council owned facilities such as parks and greenspaces?

How have they been received and have they come up against any issues or barriers to gaining these commitments?

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GM0957 - Maintenance of closed churchyards - 050523

A member authority would like to know if any other members have experience in dealing with the maintenance of closed churchyards?

In particular:

• What is your interpretation of maintenance?
• Do you have any agreements drawn up which can be shared?
• Does anyone claim any expenses back from the Church of England?

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GM0956 - Managing Closed Churchyards To Promote Biodiversity – 050523

APSE is currently writing a report on creating space for nature in cemetery grounds.

We have received a number of case studies on the work local authorities are carrying out in municipal cemeteries to create wider opportunities for biodiversity and the ways in which they are managing the desire to create spaces for nature, whilst recognising the need to provide safe and appropriately managed spaces for remembrance for visitors.

One area where the report does not have case studies is in relation to the management of closed churchyards where considerations are being made to promote biodiversity.

APSE would therefore be interested to hear from any local authority member who are actively undertaking this type of work and would be willing to provide text and photo’s outlining what they have achieved.

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GM0955 - Living Christmas Trees             

This council are looking for any local authorities who currently provide, work with communities who provide, or are considering provision of Living Christmas Trees within their communities.

As an alternative to cut trees being procured annually, they are exploring the potential of planting a tree in each community for recurring use at Christmas.

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GM0954 - Rain Gardens for helping resolve flooding issues

A member authority is keen to understand if any other authority has had experience of introducing a rain garden to resolve flooding issues and, if so, what success have you had using this approach?

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GM0953 - Noise monitoring of grounds maintenance equipment – 120423

A member authority is reviewing its noise monitoring polices with equipment used within their grounds maintenance section, both motorised and handheld equipment. In particular:-

1. What is the frequency of monitoring for both motorised and handheld grounds maintenance equipment?
2. How is the noise monitoring managed and which device is preferred?
3. What measures are in place to record noise results?
4. What measures are in place to ensure that safe operational practices are undertaken?
5. Have there been any lessons learnt?"

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GM0952 - Dog exercise areas within parks – 300323

A member authority has received a number of requests for dog exercise areas within parks, areas where dogs can be let of their leads but contained within a fenced area.

The enquiring authority would be interested to receive information on the following:

• Do other local authorities provide these spaces and what are their experiences – good or bad.
• Have any authorities explored the option but decided against installing dog exercise areas and if so why?

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GM0952 - Dog exercise areas within parks – 300323

A member authority has received a number of requests for dog exercise areas within parks, areas where dogs can be let of their leads but contained within a fenced area.

The enquiring authority would be interested to receive information on the following:

• Do other local authorities provide these spaces and what are their experiences – good or bad.
• Have any authorities explored the option but decided against installing dog exercise areas and if so why?

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GM0951- Regulating dog walkers in parks - 280323        

A member authority is interested in hearing how organised dog walker businesses are regulated within the parks estate.

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GM0951 - Regulating dog walkers in parks - 280323      

A member authority is interested in hearing how organised dog walker businesses are regulated within the parks estate.

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GM0950 - Glyphosate alternatives – 230123

An APSE  member would be most interested to learn what Glyphosate alternative chemicals other local authorities have trialled, specifically as below:

• Product
• Costs
• Effectiveness
• Any other hazards identified with the products.

Any information shared would be most appreciated.

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GM0949 - Alternatives to glyphosate - 230123 

A member authority is interested to know about any actions other local authorities are carrying out with respect to the reduction or the ceasing the use of glyphosate as herbicide treatment for weed control?

Also, they would like to know, what alternatives are being used or considered?"

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GM0948 - Review of the provision of recreational facilities within parks - 230123           

A member authority is reviewing its provision of recreational facilities within parks post covid and would be interested to know if other authorities still have active recreational facilities e.g., rowing boat hire, bouncy castles, crazy golf, tennis etc and if so, how are these being managed?  In particular: -

1. Have you managed to open up recreational activities within your parks as business as usual post covid?
2. Have you tried to establish a private operator to come in and run these activities?
3. If you have managed to obtain a private contractor, was it successful?  Have there been any pitfalls/ lessons learnt etc as part of the process?

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GM0947 - Tractor Driver Licence categories - 050123     

A member authority operates tractors within their Grounds Maintenance Service.

As per HM Revenue & Customs exercise duty they operate the tractors on White diesel.

These tractors are used for a mixture of task e.g.  gang mowing, vertidraining and towing trailers etc.

The gross weight of the tractor and trailer is up to approx. 13 tonnes. 

A Category B car licence entitles a person to drive category F vehicles – tractor. 

These tractors are being used for local government purposes only and are not used for hire and reward or agriculture use. 

However, there appears to be a grey area regarding driving licence categories within legislation which may be down to definition ‘Agriculture, horticulture and Forestry’.

The enquiring member authority would therefore be interested to know what driving licence category do other authority tractor drivers have?

Any advice is appreciated.

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GM0946 - Use of Chapter 8 Legislation into safe sytems of working for Grounds Maintenance Teams - 130123  

Do other local authorities incorporate Chapter 8 legislation into safe systems of works for their grounds maintenance teams?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203669/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-08-part-01.pdf"

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GM0945 - Switching Off Lighting Columns In Parks - 170223       

A member authority is looking at ways to cut costs and it has been suggested that all lamp columns in and through parks could be turned off to save electricity.

They are therefore interested to know if other authorities done this and what issues have, they encountered?

Also, they would like to know if there has been any major public reaction to this?"