Patchy grass cutting by private and inhouse operators has resulted in Highland Council issuing penalties of more than £80,000 in two years.
The bill will not impact to any degree on council tax payers but is an embarrassment to the local authority.
It is currently reviewing the service, much of which was privatised a few years ago to save money as part of multimillion-pound budget cuts.
Two private contractors and an inhouse team have amassed penalties of £81,483.82 for poor quality work in the wake of random and job-specific inspections by a council team.
In 2011, the council decided to divide “grounds maintenance” into nine areas for a three-year period. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross grass cutting remained inhouse.
A row erupted last week between councillors and council officials when, during the holiday period, officers indicated that contracts should be extended another season.
Councillors in several areas of the Highlands, wholly unimpressed with current standards, have demanded a committee debate on the issue. That community services committee discussion will follow next month. (AUG)
Speaking yesterday, (MON) Inverness councillor Donnie Kerr said: “I don’t believe we’re getting good value. I think we’d get better quality of work if it was inhouse.
“What we’re looking for is figures to show what it would cost to re-employ and re-equip people to do this.”
Members were advised in 2011 that the tender for grass cutting would result in “a significant level of savings – in excess of £1.3million over three years.”
Some council staff transferred to a new contractor.
Figures obtained by the Press and Journal show that Surrey-based contractor ISS, which has a £1.1million contract, was fined £26,605.30 in 2014 and £28,540.00 last year. It declined to comment.
Golder Grounds Maintenance Ltd of Kilmarnock, which has a £145,000 contract for maintenance in Skye and Lochalsh, was penalised to the tune of £230.96 in 2014 and £2,766.85 in 2015.
Managing director Stephen Golder, who has employed six local workers for the past two years, said: “It’s quite a difficult job for the guys on the ground to do, and we try and do a good job.”
The council grass cutting team was penalised by £23,340.71 over the two years.
Community services chairman Allan Henderson said: “We’re preparing a range of options to present to the committee. I ask members for patience and forebearance during this period of significant restructuring and redesign within the council.”
