Grass Cutting

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 2:02 pm

When Glaendale were awarded the contract, they showed themsaelve wholly incabapable of coping with the volume of work and amidst an outcry in the press, the Council had to step in and do much of the work to catch up. At that time it was said that Glendale were under threat if they continued to fail to meet the terms of the contract.When a facility is taken out-of house to a private provider, several things ordinarily happen. First of course is to lay down both the standards of work required which would incorporate matters such as frequency of visits and environmental considerations. Secondly, it would be usual to ensure the contractor's workforce carried out the business with the same values as the employing body (that is the Council's standards) which must include their attitude to approaches from the community. Next would surely be provision within the contract to take redress or even terminate, if these terms were repaetedly not met. Finally, it is usual that the existing workforce (Council staff) have the opportunity to transfer to the undertaking with the work.Given that prior to Glendale, this service was carried out well and nobody has yet criticised the former workers, it seems likely that these people either chose not to move, or left for better pastures - often these contracts are tendered on a shoe-string budget, the cheapest winning which can result in poor conditons for the workforce.This would leave Glendale having to recruit new staff and likely that would mean anyone who would work for them, demonstrably so it would seem, and equaly demonstrably these recruits being rather diminished representatives of society's standards (DROSS).Having had our say on here, perhaps it's time that each of us made our thought known to our respective Local Councillors and copied those messages accross to Glendale - we have their address. That might ruffle a few feathers.

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 5:38 pm

I dont personally know how Glendale go about recruiting staff,but i can say that at least two members of there staff who cut the grass in the ls9 area have extensive criminal records and one of them is well known in the area to have a long history with drug abuse and has been in and out of prison for the best part of his adult life!so maybe this has something to do with the standard of workmanship??im all for rehabilitation and care in the community but maybe Glendale need to asses this problem because i for one(and by the look of it everyone else on here)am sick and tired of having to clean up after them.

Lilysmum · Post by **Lilysmum** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 6:07 pm

David Raven wrote: bramley13 wrote: ... try finding the horsforths firm who does the grass cutting.i asked a so called grass cutter for the phone number.began with f then oxx nice guy.its not on the net If it was Glendale, then you can contact them via their website:-http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/ Just had a look at Glendale's website! Who are they trying to kid"Delivering green service excellence" I think not!I have had no joy ringing the council so far so I'm going to contact Glendale direct first thing Monday and ask what their definition of excellence is exactly and offer to send them some photos of their standard of work to use on their website that will give potential customers a better idea of what they can expect from Glendale and it's certainly not "Quality,value and innovation"

Leeds-lad · Post by **Leeds-lad** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 7:03 pm

At last people now see that outside contractors cannot provide the service that Council employees can.This may be the forerunner in Contracting out services,so what willit be like when the Bin men's jobs are sold off

bramley13 · Post by **bramley13** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 8:21 pm

i just looked at glendale website, this is great.is this the same firm,thats in horsforth,it must be,same vans.you have to look at this site its great.read the golf course part,imagine that lol.as for the waster in leeds 9,well says it all.but i didnt start this discussion to put people down.i just think that with all the council tax we pay, its nice to have our grass cut ,and for it to look somthing like when it is done.i thought i was on my own, but you have proved im not.thankyou.

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 8:30 pm

Lilysmum wrote: David Raven wrote: bramley13 wrote: ... try finding the horsforths firm who does the grass cutting.i asked a so called grass cutter for the phone number.began with f then oxx nice guy.its not on the net If it was Glendale, then you can contact them via their website:-http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/ Just had a look at Glendale's website! Who are they trying to kid"Delivering green service excellence" I think not!I have had no joy ringing the council so far so I'm going to contact Glendale direct first thing Monday and ask what their definition of excellence is exactly and offer to send them some photos of their standard of work to use on their website that will give potential customers a better idea of what they can expect from Glendale and it's certainly not "Quality,value and innovation" That is what your Councilors are for - if you don't think you're being listened to, badger them for help - they have a duty to ensure propriety on our behalf - and want our votes!

sundowner · Post by **sundowner** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 9:29 pm

chameleon wrote: Lilysmum wrote: David Raven wrote: bramley13 wrote: ... try finding the horsforths firm who does the grass cutting.i asked a so called grass cutter for the phone number.began with f then oxx nice guy.its not on the net If it was Glendale, then you can contact them via their website:-http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/ Just had a look at Glendale's website! Who are they trying to kid"Delivering green service excellence" I think not!I have had no joy ringing the council so far so I'm going to contact Glendale direct first thing Monday and ask what their definition of excellence is exactly and offer to send them some photos of their standard of work to use on their website that will give potential customers a better idea of what they can expect from Glendale and it's certainly not "Quality,value and innovation" That is what your Councilors are for - if you don't think you're being listened to, badger them for help - they have a duty to ensure propriety on our behalf - and want our votes! Hi Chameleon What gets me is that the councilors see what we see they must know what is going on but nothing is done untill they get lots of complaints Dont they pay council tax as well?

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 11:00 pm

I can understand what you mean Sundowner and yes you would wonder, but I don't think it's always the case that they wait to be told.I've been acquainted with a couple of former councilors and worked closely with one in particular on a large community project. What did become clear was that many things were seen and dealt with even before they could come fully into the public focus as a problem.Obviously this isn't always the case and that is why we should take a firm stand in expressing our views to them of how we see the services provided on our behalf - this is a city wide issue and one to test the system, why don't we try?

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 6:07 pm

chameleon wrote: I can understand what you mean Sundowner and yes you would wonder, but I don't think it's always the case that they wait to be told.I've been acquainted with a couple of former councilors and worked closely with one in particular on a large community project. What did become clear was that many things were seen and dealt with even before they could come fully into the public focus as a problem.Obviously this isn't always the case and that is why we should take a firm stand in expressing our views to them of how we see the services provided on our behalf - this is a city wide issue and one to test the system, why don't we try? Im with you Chameleon,ive got my camera ready and waiting for the clowns to come round.If a few of us from different areas can take a few sneaky snaps of the mess they make then maybe we can get something done!Im not saying that when they cut the grass they cant help but make a little bit of mess,but some of the states that they have left outside are house with the mud and the blasted blower is diabolical.And also the council managed to cut the grass for years without making hardly any mess,so what gives??

sundowner · Post by **sundowner** » Sun 12 Oct, 2008 8:13 pm

Brandy wrote: chameleon wrote: I can understand what you mean Sundowner and yes you would wonder, but I don't think it's always the case that they wait to be told.I've been acquainted with a couple of former councilors and worked closely with one in particular on a large community project. What did become clear was that many things were seen and dealt with even before they could come fully into the public focus as a problem.Obviously this isn't always the case and that is why we should take a firm stand in expressing our views to them of how we see the services provided on our behalf - this is a city wide issue and one to test the system, why don't we try? Im with you Chameleon,ive got my camera ready and waiting for the clowns to come round.If a few of us from different areas can take a few sneaky snaps of the mess they make then maybe we can get something done!Im not saying that when they cut the grass they cant help but make a little bit of mess,but some of the states that they have left outside are house with the mud and the blasted blower is diabolical.And also the council managed to cut the grass for years without making hardly any mess,so what gives?? Hi Brandy the problem has i see it is the grass is not cut often enough. This means instead of say a couple of inches of grass left to disperse there is any thing up to twelve inch of cut grass left covering the site.This makes the place look as though its been cut to make hay.The trouble is no one comes for the hay if you see what i mean.