Coping with cutb
Poorly kept public spaces can be linked to increased anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime, and that lack of access to green spaces results in poorer public health and well-being. So, is a partnering approach to groundcare services the way forward? Steven McInroy of SGM Contracts believes so
SIXTEEN months on from the General Election, which saw David Cameron appointed as Prime Minister of a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, the future of many public services remains uncertain - not least for groundcare services. But, what does this mean for the groundcare industry as a whole? Both public and private sector organisations must consider the changes to the market over the past year and the developments that are shaping the future of the industry. Last October, when Chancellor
George Osborne unveiled the new Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the reality of Britain’s deficit reduction plan came into force. It was inevitable that councils would have to be ruthless in making urgent decisions on frontline service priorities, in order to survive departmental budget cuts averaging 19% in the four years to follow.
For Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services, additional budgetary pressures came coupled with new legislative requirements and higher public expectations. Where groundcare is concerned there is no simple way of cutting costs: “When seeking cost reductions, crude cuts run the risk of damaging the underlying service, lowering the quality standards and, ultimately, damaging the visual environment and public perceptions,” said a spokesperson from the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) earlier this year. Simon Richard, UK Agent for the
Reform and Shibaura tractor ranges, and also Muthing flails, agrees that decisions regarding groundcare services should not be made hastily, saying, “Undoubtedly, following the cuts, the favoured route for the majority of UK local authorities will be a combination of a reduction in staffing levels and number of cuts per annum. But
“Our partnering approach to groundcare fleet management has previously achieved savings of up to 35% of current equipment maintenance costs and reduced equipment downtime levels”
Steven McInroy, Managing Director, SGM Contracts LLP 112
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