2025

GM1107 - Grass Cutting and Maintenance of Roundabouts – 220925

This Local Authority is seeking information from fellow Authorities on what they are using for grass cutting/ general maintenance of roundabouts in and around town centres. Particuarly in regard to:

- Method of grass cutting/ weed killing (e.g. tractor cutting the roundabout perimeter only, or ride on/ pedestrian mowers cutting the whole area?)

- Traffic management in place (e.g. lane closure/ signage/ ensurinng safe access to roundabout?)

- Risk Assessments in place (if pedestrian mowers or ride ons are crossing roads to access, how do they access safely?)

- Do you differentiate between roundabouts within 20mph/30mph/40mph zones (different standards of cut?)

Any information that councils can provide will be appreciated.

GM1106 - Grass Cutting, Sweeping Cycles and Hedge Cutting Risk Assessments - 120925

We would be grateful for your assistance with the following questions:

• How many cuts do you aim for and achieve on their open space grass cutting?

• What sweeping cycles are you currently delivering?

• Who is responsible for carrying out site-specific risk assessments when undertaking hedge cutting?

GM1105 - Managing Waterfowl in Parks – 100925

We are seeking advice and examples of practice from other authorities regarding the management of ponds and lakes within formal parks (for example, Victorian parks). In particular, we would be interested to hear about:

• Presence of water bodies and wildlife
• Do you have ponds or lakes within your formal parks?
• Do these water bodies support waterfowl/wildfowl such as ducks, geese, swans, or gulls?

• Public interactions and issues
• Have you experienced conflicts between the waterfowl and park visitors (e.g. aggressive behaviour, attacks)?
• How have you managed issues around overfeeding and pollution caused by feeding?
• What approaches have you used to address these challenges?

• Management and control measures
• Do you actively manage the number of waterfowl or control feeding on ponds/lakes? If so, how?
• What signage do you use around water bodies (e.g. “Do not feed the birds bread,” “No fishing,” “No swimming”)?

• Pollution and health concerns
• How significant has pollution of the water become due to bird numbers and feeding?
• Have you dealt with cases of avian botulism or other health issues?
• Have you seen an increase in waterfowl deaths this year?

GM1104 - In-House Play Area Inspections – 080925

We are seeking information from member authorities on how play area and facility inspections are currently being managed. In particular, we are interested in whether inspections are carried out in-house and how they are recorded.

We would be grateful if you could answer the following:

• Do you complete play area/facility inspections in-house? (Yes/No)

• If Yes, do you currently use a software solution for play area/facility inspections? (Yes/No)

• If No, how do you record your inspections (e.g. paper-based, spreadsheets, contractor-managed, other)?

GM1103 - Projects to Manage Ash Dieback – 260825

A member authority is seeking insights and experiences from others who have undertaken projects to manage groups of ash trees identified as being affected by Ash Dieback.

In particular, they would be interested to learn:

• How other councils have approached the provision for large-scale felling works?
• Any lessons learned or best practice that could be shared?
• Whether there are any framework agreements or procurement routes that have proved suitable for this type of project?
• If the procurement has been conducted through an Invitation to Tender, would any council be willing to share a sample Quality Questionnaire for reference?

The member council’s project will be progressing through an open tender process, but as they have limited experience in procuring this type of service within the public sector, they would greatly value advice from colleagues who have managed similar projects.

GM1102 - Safer Parks for Women and Girls – 250825

A member is seeking examples of best practice from local authorities on initiatives, policies or projects that make parks and greenspaces safer and more welcoming for girls and women.

GM1101 - Remote-Controlled Spider Mowers – 150825

A member authority has a number of remote-controlled Spider Mowers in use across the city. It has recently been suggested that the authority should consider securing these units with a winch when operating above 30°.

The authority would like to know if anyone else has adopted this approach? Do any of you secure your Spider Mowers while they are in use? If so, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share your method process and at what specific degree point you find it necessary to do so.

GM1100 - Drinking Water Fountains – 120825

Our question is about the uptake and experience of fresh drinking water fountains in parks.

• What types of drinking water fountain/bottle refill stations have been the most successful? Sharing of type and brand appreciated.
• What is the required inspection regime for them? Thinking maintenance, cleanliness and legionella etc.
• Is this done internally or through external contract? Any information on expected costs is also appreciated.
• Does anyone collect data on how used their public water fountains are?
• Does it show demand in park settings?
• How is the data collected?
• Have there been any lessons learnt by partners who have already installed water fountains into public parks? Thinking location, vandalism, accessibility, etc.

GM1099 - Working with Parish / Town Councils and Volunteers – 070825

As local authority workforces have reduced, collaboration with parish councils, volunteers, and third sector organisations has become an essential part of managing and developing parks and open spaces. However, managing the expectations of these groups and the associated risks is becoming increasingly challenging.

A. Do you have a formal protocol for handling requests from Parish or Town Councils? If so, would you be willing to share it with us?

B. If a Parish or Town Council proposes work that would improve a site, do you simply grant them permission to carry it out on your land?

C. If permission is granted, who is responsible for overseeing the contractor to ensure the agreed work is delivered?

D. Alternatively, do you design the proposals in-house and ask the Parish or Town Council to contribute to or cover the full project costs?

E. If the project is designed in-house, do you charge a project management fee?

F. If so, how is that fee calculated, and what is the typical amount?

GM1098 - Play Strategies - 070825

A member authority is looking to rationalise its formal play facilities over the next 10 years by reducing its quantity of LAP/ Doorstep and LOCAL playgrounds and prioritise its investment into larger quality facilities which will provide greater play value for a wider age range. As such, it is looking to undertake the production of a play strategy.

A) Do you have a dedicated strategy for children’s formal and informal playgrounds?

If yes, would you be willing to share a copy?

B) What was your objective in writing this strategy?

C) Was it written in-house or using consultants?

D) If written by consultants, who did you use and would you recommend them?

E) What methodology did use regarding catchment distances? Eg a 20 min walk, population demographics?

F) How did you consult with residents?

G) How did you take highways and public transport into consideration when deciding which facilities to phase out?

GM1097 - Waste disposal charges for ex allotment tenants – 310725

A member authority would like to hear from other authorities about waste on allotment plots.

They would like to know if you charge for the removal of waste from ex allotment tenants? Do you take photos of plots before they are taken on to show evidence that waste has accumulated on that plot?

They would appreciate any information you are able to share around waste disposal and charges.

GM1096 - Training Course For Synthetic Grass Maintenance – 220725

This local authority has been searching for a training course for their grounds maintenance staff to attend on maintaining synthetic grass sports surfaced (e.g. 3G).

If any other local authority has been able to attain such training, any information on the training/ training provider used would be greatly appreciated.

GM0195 - Robotic Lawnmowers – 220725

This local authority is seeking information as to if any other local authortities are using or have used robotic lawnmowers?

Any information that can be shared will be greatly appreciated.

GM1094 - What proportion of your local authority budget expenditure is allocated to grounds maintenance for parks? – 160725

A request from Humera Sultan, Consultant in Public Health and NIHR Doctoral Local Authority Fellow, as part of her PhD into investment in parks.

You may remember that I did a presentation at a recent APSE Parks Seminar regarding my PhD into investment in parks. I am keen to understand some budget allocation for grounds maintenance from other LAs if anybody feels able to share.

What I am interested in understanding is what proportion of your total LA budget expenditure is allocated to GM for parks?

By GM I’d be looking at litter removal, sweeping, grass cutting, hedge management, managing toilets or cafes, flower bed management, play area maintenance.

If you were able to provide me something for the 2023-2-24 financial year, I could compare this to your total LA budget which is published in the public domain. Ideally, I’d be looking for your GM allocations from 2013 but appreciate that is a very big ask.

I would not need to share which LA the data has come from – I would just say a UK LA if you weren’t happy to share this in my PhD or publications.

If you need any more information, please feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 07734153753.

GM1093 - Closing Allotment Waiting Lists – 100725

Have any councils closed their allotment waiting lists?

And what threshold did the list pass to warrant its closure?

GM1092 - Paddling Pool Failing Water Test – 040725

A member council has a large paddling pool which underwent resurfacing before its scheduled opening. A new wet pour rubber crumb surface with a resin layer below was laid over the original concrete floor.

However, the member has been unable to open the pool due to water test results exceeding PWTAG guidelines. Specifically, the Carbon Organic Total (COT) and the percentage of combined chlorine relative to free chlorine indicate the presence of organic matter or synthetic compounds – such as bacteria or pollutants.

This is an issue that has never been encountered in 18 years of operating the pool. Despite following advice from the pool service contractors – including repeated emptying and refilling, superchlorination with both chlorine and chlorine dioxide – only very minor improvements have been observed.

The council is reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced a similar issue, and if so, whether a cause was identified and a successful resolution found.

GM1091 - Garden Tidy Services – 010725

We are seeking information regarding garden tidy services provided by local authorities.

Specifically, we would be grateful if you could respond to the following questions:

• Does your local authority offer a garden tidy service to residents?
• If yes, is the service available only to council tenants, or is it also offered to private tenants?
• What are the eligibility criteria for the service (e.g. age, disability)?
• Is the service delivered by an in-house grounds maintenance team or via an external contractor?
• If delivered by an external contractor, what is the cost per property charged to the council or resident?
• What tasks are included as part of the “garden tidy” service?

GM1090 - Japanese Knotweed Control Policies – 250625

A member authority is currently developing a policy in relation to controlling invasive species in the ownership of the district council.

Are other local councils willing to share their policies?

The querier is interested in measures to control Japanese Knotweed specifically, albeit these may be included in a wider invasive species control policy.

GM1089 - Tree Inspection Software – 240625

• What tree inspection software are you using?
• How long have you been using the system for?
• Is it fit for purpose or would you not recommend the system?
• Does the software also include play area management?

If not:

• What software do you use for play area management?
• How long have you been using the system for?
• Is it fit for purpose or would you not recommend the system?

• Are you able to view/update records when out on site? If so, does it require mobile data connectivity or can it be done “offline” and uploaded when in a reception area?

• Can you produce management reports on works completed/incomplete/repairs etc.

• Do you use the system for managing the assets, including instructing contractors/in-house teams.

• Any limitations/shortfalls?

GM1088 - Safe Storage of Battery Operated Machinery – 060625

A member authority is looking to purchase armoured cabinets to safely store lithium batteries for grass cutting and hand-held machinery.

The authority is keen to understand what other local authorities are using for this due to the sudden increase in battery operated machinery.

GM1087 - Adverse/Wet Weather Contingency in relation to Grounds Maintenance – 020625

• In the event of adverse or wet weather – when grounds maintenance contactors are unable to cut the grass – what alternative duties are contractors asked to carry out? (e.g. litter picking)

• How is this quantified in terms of costs, to provide assurance that public money is being best spent by doing these alternative activities?

• Do other LA’s have a specific wet weather specification / alternative schedule?

GM1086 - Park Warden Service Review – 290525

A member council is in the process of reviewing their Park Warden service. The main functions of this role include:

• To enforce council bye-laws, dog control orders, litter code and carry out alcohol enforcements.
• To deal with anti-social behaviour within parks (drinking, littering, graffiti, dumping and fly-tipping and dog fouling).
• To provide a visible presence in the park but carrying out regular patrols and undertake routine inspections, litter picking and park opening/lock-up duties.
• To assist with community and outreach work (working with community groups, schools and activity groups), as well as undertaking tours, walks and talks within the park.

There is a currently a mixed delivery approach – some Park Wardens are permanently deployed to specific parks which are experiencing high levels of ASB, supported by a mobile team who move between parks depending on the need.

Questions:

1. Do member councils have a similar role within their organisation – details of this and what the role includes/excludes. Copies of job descriptions would be useful?
2. Where does this role sit structurally within the organisation and who do they report to? Again, copies of current structures would be welcomed?
3. Details around hours of operation, delivery models and service approach (i.e. how staff are deployed)?
4. Any specific training and development needs for the role?
5. Resources that staff have available to them (vehicle, PPE, phones/radio equipment)?
6. Specific detail around any enforcement function within the role, if relevant and how this works operationally?
7. Specific detail around how ASB is dealt with and if there is a multi-disciplinary / multi-agency approach?
8. Any technology currently used by authorities – to record incidents and activity on the job, and how information is collated and reported on?

GM1085 - Allotment Charges – 280525

Charges for water supply

• Do you charge separately for water supply? If yes, is this a flat rate or is the charge based on the use/cost of water the previous year?
• Do you charge all plot holders on that site the same regardless of whether or not they use the mains water supply?
• Do you offer any concession for plot holders who have a water butt (or other water collection facility) on their plot?

Charges for structures e.g. Sheds

The council currently manages a deposit scheme for those people who wish to have a structure (shed, polytunnel etc) on their plot. The deposit is returned if they remove their structure when giving up their plot. However, managing this system (taking payment, raising credits, maintaining records) is a manually intensive process so they are considering an annual fee in future.

The council are keen to find out how other authorities charge for structures and any benefits or implications that they have encountered?

GM1084 - Changing Horticultural practices due to the impacts of climate change – 280525

The impacts of climate change are now regularly affecting temperatures and weather patterns resulting in warmer springs , wetter summers and milder winters. Some experts are even saying we are beginning to see a scenario of 'seasonality breakdown'

2025 saw the month of May recording its highest temperature to date, and rainfall levels across most part of the UK were extremely low.

As a consequence of these changes many of our native plants and tree species are being put under stress, as are the range of insects, pollinators and other species which rely on them.

Therefore many greenspace professionals are now starting to consider how they can make the plants and tree they manage and grow in their urban parks, and other greenspaces more adaptable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

APSE is therefore interested to find out how the UK's local authorities are responding to these challenges and what changes are being made to the types of plants and trees local authorities are growing i.e. more non-native species, more naturalised planting , less high maintenance and water hungry bedding displays etc.

All responses will be included in a briefing note currently being written.

GM1083 - Removal of grass cuttings from wildflower, meadows, verges and species rich grasslands - 210525

APSE has been asked by one of its members as to how other local authorities are dealing with the removal and composting of grass cuttings from areas such as wildflower meadows, wildflower verges and species rich grasslands where there is a need to prevent grass cuttings decomposing and allowing the soils under these areas becoming too fertile and thereby unsuitable for future wildflowers and less vigorous grasses..

They would be particularly interested in the types of machinery being used to cut grass and remove it.

Clearly this will cost more than the traditional cut and drop mowing system, therefore how has this additional cost been accounted for?

GM1082 - Signage on Differential Mowing - 210525

A member authority would be interested in examples of signage/artwork to advise and educate the public on differential mowing.

GM1081 - Mounting Habitat Boxes on Council Assets - 140525

GM1080 - Grass Cutting - 010525

Cut and Collect

• How did you select cut and collect sites?
• How/ when do you re-assess these sites?
• To what extent have you replaced swards with either partial or complete seed/ wildflower turf?
• How have you prepared these sites?
• Have you used ornamental perennials in urban areas and how has this been justified?
• Have you sown directly onto subsoil or open cast mined areas, and how successful?
• Do you have any ready responses to criticisms, e.g. hidden dangers in long grass, asthma?
• Have you managed to quantify various benefits e.g. carbon sequestration?
• How do you manage pernicious weed control/ competitive grasses with limited resources?
• Have there been any issues with ‘No Mow May’ e.g. visibility splays?

Bulbs in amenity mown areas

• How have you mown later flowering bulb areas incl. primroses, in amenity swards?
• How do you manage winter hedge cutting next to early flowering bulb areas?

General

• How are the range of mowing regimes in different areas communicated to the mowing teams?
• What major lessons have been learnt or issues addressed?

GM1079 - Hedges - 290525

Do authorities carry out site specific risk assessments for every individual hedge and shrub bed they maintain?

GM1078 - Management Handbook - 240425

A member authority would like to know if anyone has a Parks Management Handbook or similar that they provide to parks supervisors/chargehands to guide them in delivery of their role and to ensure that they make links to key agendas and manage according to an agreed standard.

GM1077 - Badgers - 140425

A member authority would like to know the following:

[Please answer what you can]

1. Are you noticing an increase in badger populations on your inner-city parks and green spaces?

2. How is badger activity impacting on your site use?

3. How are you monitoring the ground damage created by badgers? If inspecting, how often weekly?

4. Do you have site specific risk assessments relating to badgers and how your mange the implications of having them present on a site?

5. Are you infilling foraging digging holes if so on what frequency? As found, in line with inspections etc?

6. Have you agreed a reasonably practicable response to protecting new sett locations, members of the public and or other site users from badger holes dug?

GM1076 - Grasscrete - 260325

A member council’s premier park is used for outdoor events, and the grass area which is used can suffer from compaction issues or become churned up if it has been wet.

The type of events which are held range from small community events to concerts with 12,000 people in attendance.

The equipment which is brought to site is by HGVs, tracking is put down on the grass, but this can be problematic at times.

The council are currently looking to see if grasscrete is an option to install on site. However. there are mixed reviews on this.

Have other local authorities either:

• Used grasscrete successfully?

• Used an alternative system and if so, what?

• Or removed the grass and hard surfaced the area instead?

GM1075 - Bowls provision - 090425

[Please answer what you can]

1. What bowls provision is your organisation still providing?

2. If you have reviewed your bowls provision in the last 5 years what has been the key changes to your delivery model?

3. Do you still offer a concessionary rate if so what percentage reduction on seasonal fees?

4. What is your seasonal player fee?

5. Have you developed any new ways of working regarding bowls pavilions and their weekly utilisation to develop shared usage or more sustainable cost-efficient usage?

6. Have you moved bowls clubs onto lease arrangements including the maintenance responsibility and what were they key outcomes from this? Were clubs able to take on the responsibility and the cost?

7. If you have a sustainable bowls model in operation, please can this be shared, we are keen to identify a sustainable business model.

8. Has your organisation of any of your clubs developed a successful new player recruitment initiative that could be shared?

GM1074 - Volunteers using power tools and/or machinery - 260325

A local authority is undertaking a review of how voluntary groups can undertake works using power tools and/or machinery.

They would be interested to hear from other councils who are aware of any voluntary groups undertaking works of this nature. In particular, they would be interested to know:

• How works are risk assessed
• How training of volunteers is undertaken
• What kind of works are permitted
• If works in and around bodies of water are permitted
• Any information on insurances
• Details on the council’s permissions processes and how long they run for
• Any other relevant information

GM1073 - Managing Appeals Processes on Allotment Sites - 260325

A member authority would like to know more about the methods employed by other councils in managing appeals processes on their allotment sites.

Their aim is to establish a robust procedure for dealing with such situations.

GM1072 - Use of Allotment Plots by Community Groups - 210325

A member authority is looking to implement a new community plot agreement. It is going to be like a tenancy agreement but specifically for community plots where people from a community group/charity/school use an allotment.

Do any other local authorities have a specific agreement/terms and conditions for the use of allotment plots by community groups?

GM1071 - Grounds Maintenance Management Software - 170325

GM1070 - Annual rent charge for self-managed allotment associations/societies - 140325

This is a query for authorities who have self-managed allotment associations/societies:

1. What is the annual rent charge for the land that is leased out to the association/society?
2. Is the charge based on the size of the land? If so how much per Ha or acre?

GM1069 - Rural verge cuts and biodiversity

With regards to rural verge cuts and biodiversity, this local authority is keen to understand how other members authorities mark the areas of verge not to be cut by contractors using eg tractor and side arm flail on rural verge cutting routes so they are easily recognised? Is there any easy tried and tested method, preferably permanent, as an alternative to contractors having to frequently study maps?

GM1068 - Pay gradings for compact sweeper drivers - 190225

A member authority is reviewing its pay gradings for compact sweeper drivers, in particular:

• What pay grades / salary do compact sweepers drivers earn?

• Do compact sweeper drivers undertake additional duties?

• Are compact sweepers driver JD combined with other JD’s or as a separate role?

GM1067 - Securing and Calculating S106 Contributions for Green Space, Allotments, Play, Sport and Leisure - 140225

What are your local authority’s process and procedures for securing and calculating Section106 contributions for green space, allotments, play, sport and leisure?

GM1066 - APSE local authority inherited grounds maintenance on private land survey

GM1065 - Removing Moss in Parks - 310125

An authority is struggling with removing moss in its parks, particularly on paths. Other councils have suggested:

• Algon
• Block Blitz
• WESTERMANN WR870 Moss Brush

The authority would like to know the pros and cons of using any of the above?

Or if there are better alternatives?

GM1064 - Standby and Call-out Pay Rates - 170125

A member authority has standby/call-out arrangements within its highways, grounds maintenance and arboricultural teams to deal with urgent out-of-hours issues i.e. storm damage, people being locked in a park etc.

What (if any) standby and call-out rates do you pay for this type of work?

GM1063 - Use of CRM/Asset Management software to deliver street cleansing operations - 060125

A member authority is seeking any feedback on software used to manage street cleansing operations such as resident service requests, fly tipping reports, gang routes for litter and bin emptying, bin locations, mapping, mechanical sweeper routes etc. They are aware of some key providers such as bartec Municipal Technologies and Alloy so any references to these would be particularly useful if you are already using them.

• How you have found the system to work with on a day-to-day basis?

• The level of support you have received from the vendor?

• What’s good about the system?

• What’s poor about the system?

• Would this be a product you would recommend?

• Any other comments or advice welcome.

GM1062 - Parks operatives training - 020125

A member authority is reviewing its parks operatives training and hope to learn what other members have in place for staff.

• Do you have train the trainers for handheld tools like strimmer’s and blowers, also for ride on and push along mowers?
• If yes, which training company did you use please?
• Do your team leaders or chargehands carry out this training?
• What certification or check lists do you use for compliance?