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ROUPELL PARK RESIDENT MANAGEMENT CO-OP

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

SERVICE STANDARD

 

WHAT IS A SERVICE STANDARD?

A Service Standard lets you know what we should be doing on your estate. It allows you to look at the service we are providing and to assess whether we are doing what we said we would. It also allows us to measure the performance of our contractors or Direct Labour Organisation.

If you understand the service we are supposed to be providing, it allows you to help us to monitor how we and our contractors are doing. It therefore allows us to improve the quality of the service we provide by getting feedback direct from you. You live on the estate so it is your views that are important.

This Service Standard was set after widespread consultation with the residents on the estate which included us sending round a draft version to everyone on the estate and holding a meeting with all the residents on the estate. It was then agreed by the RPRMC Board.

This service standard forms the basis of the Contract with the company that do the work on the estate.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GROUNDS MAINTENACE SERVICE STANDARD?

This Service Standard sets the quality of service you should receive in relation to the following services on the Roupell Park Estate -

  • Mowing and maintaining grass areas including strimming and edging
  • Maintenance of all flower and shrub beds
  • Maintenance of hedges
  • Pruning and maintenance of shrubs and plants (but not trees)
  • Improving the quality of the grounds on the estate

HOW DO WE MEASURE THE SERVICE

We measure the service in two ways INPUT and OUTPUT.

INPUT means that we say how many times it should be done and when. For example we say how often mulch should be applied to beds.

OUTPUT means we say the standard we should meet. For example we say the maximum length that the grass should be allowed to grow and not how often or when it should be cut.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS?

Maintaining Grassed Areas

Excellent

  • Grass is 20mm long and free of weeds, moss or other plants including to all upright borders, fences, walls etc. Grass should never exceed 25mm.
  • Grassed areas free from all weak, dead, diseased and spent flower heads and damaged growth.
  • Grassed areas are free from litter and other debris before it is cut.
  • Grass neatly cut to the edge at borders, paths etc.
  • No grass cuttings and other debris left on adjoining paths.
  • Grassed areas free of autumn leaves.
  • Grassed areas are re-sown or re-turfed

Acceptable

  • Grass is between 15 and 25mm long and generally free of weeds moss or other plants and leaves including to all upright borders, fences, walls etc.
  • There are minor occurrences of weak, dead, diseased or spent flower heads or damaged growth.
  • Grassed areas are substantively free from litter and other debris before it is cut.
  • Grass neatly cut to the edge of borders, paths etc.
  • Limited amounts of grass cuttings and other debris left on adjoining paths.
  • Limited leaf coverage in grassed areas.
  • Authorised use of pesticides/herbicides

Poor

  • Grass areas less than 15mm or longer than 25mm long.
  • Grass is uncut along upright borders, fences, walls etc.
  • More than 10% of grassed areas showing evidence of poor health or neglect with extensive growth, moss or other plants.
  • Grass cuttings and other debris left on adjoining paths.
  • 25% of edges to borders paths etc left untidy or not maintained.
  • Leaves covering 25% of grassed areas.
  • Grass areas appearing unsightly

Unacceptable

In addition to the poor standard, grassed areas are -

  • Waterlogged (except for unforeseen exceptional poor weather)
  • Unauthorised pesticides, herbicides and other treatments have been applied.


 

Pruning, Maintenance of Shrubs, Rose, Flower beds and Hedges.

Excellent

  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges maintained in such a way that they are in  healthy growth, maintained to agreed height and form and are pruned appropriately to ensure abundance of flowing growth and shape.
  • Beds and borders are free of weeds, leaves, suckers, dead flower heads, pests, including aphids and diseases.
  • Replace as and when necessary to maintain appearance.

Acceptable

  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges maintained in such a way that they are in healthy growth and they do not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic routes.
  • Beds, borders, hedgerows, other garden areas etc. are primarily free of weeds, leaves, suckers, dead flower heads , pests including aphids and diseases
  • Authorised use of pesticides/herbicides

Poor

  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges maintained in such a way that they partially obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic routes.
  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges show signs of damage and die back.
  • Beds, borders, hedgerows, other garden areas etc. have substantial evidence of weeds, leaves, suckers, dead flower heads, pests including aphids and diseases.

Unacceptable

  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges maintained in such a way that they present a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic routes.
  • Perennial plants, shrubs and hedges show significant signs of damage and die back.
  • Beds, borders, hedgerows, other garden areas etc. have infestation of weeds, leaves, suckers, dead flower heads, pests including aphids and diseases.
  • Unauthorised pesticides, herbicides and other treatments have been applied.


 

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Herbicides, Pesticides and Fertilisers

Roupell Park RMC is committed to minimising the use of chemicals in the management of its grass and flower beds. Wherever possible weeds and pests will be controlled through mechanical and organic means including the use of mulches and the encouragement of natural predators. However it is recognised that in some cases and in particular the control of weed and moss growth on paths and hard surfaces chemical control will be necessary.

Roupell Park RMC also recognises the need to use fertilisers to promote healthy growth. These will be based on the use of organic compounds from sustainable sources.

All Chemical and pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers will be used according to manufacturer’s instructions and in accordance with relevant legislation.

New Planting and Encouraging Wildlife

All new planting on the estate will be of a type that is drought resistant so as to minimise the need to water plants once they are established. New planting will also encourage wildlife onto the estate and in particular insects, including those that act as natural predators of common pests.

Hedges will only be cut before the start and after the end of birds breeding season (typically early March to the end of May).

Roupell Park RMC will also establish areas where wild flowers are encouraged to grow and generally to build the overall bio diversity of the estate.

Roupell Park RMC will seek an ongoing improvement of the quality of its environment and will seek to upgrade all grassed and planting areas as part of a planned programme to be agreed by residents as part of the budget making process.

EXCLUSIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

The management of trees on the estate is the responsibility of Lambeth Council.

All the service standards are dependent on the weather. If it is mild then additional works will be needed in the winter. If it is wet it may be impossible to cut the grass.