Grounds maintenance - Warwickshire County Council

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

The Council's Grounds Maintenance Service currently provides the following services to some 330 schools and other premises across the county:

* Grass Cutting

* Maintenance of Beds and Borders

* Weed Control

* Maintenance of Summer and Winter Sports Facilities

* Playground Marking

* Winter Maintenance including hedges, ditches, leaf removal and ecology areas

The service is well regarded by its customers and enjoys their continued support despite their delegated right to choose suppliers. Recent reviews of the service, however, have indicated the need to introduce a more innovative approach in the provision of the service in order to ensure continuous improvements in service delivery.

The limited market within which the service operates imposes constraints on the scope for such innovation and, in view of this, the Council is considering options that free the Grounds Maintenance organisation from the restrictions of local government control.

The County Council, therefore, would be pleased to hear from appropriate private sector organisations that are interested in becoming involved in this process.

Expressions of interest should be made by 7th November 2002, in writing, to: Don Hiatt, Business Consultancy Manager Warwickshire County Council PO Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RR or by email to: donhiatt@warwickshire.gov.uk or by telephone to Don Hiatt on: 01926 412408

On receipt of expressions of interest the Council will provide interested parties with an information pack that will include an outline of the current position and instructions on how to proceed.