New grounds maintenance deal ‘will save £2million’ for North Devon area authorities.

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A NEW £630,000 a year grounds maintenance contract for most of North Devon and Torridge has been awarded to a division of a multinational group.

North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, Barnstaple Town Council, Devon County Council and North Devon Homes have signed the agreement with ISS Facilities Services Landscaping.

They say it will save in the region of £2million over the next eight years.

The contract will include all grass cutting, hedge trimming, shrub maintenance, cemetery works, burials, play area maintenance, and tree works throughout Torridge and North Devon until 2021.

The company is part of ISS Facilities Services, one of the world’s largest facility services providers, which has more than half a million employees.

Deputy leader of Torridge council, Roger Johnson, said joint working had to be the way forward for local authorities.

“It gives us greater bargaining power and means we can get a better deal for our residents without compromising on the quality of the service,” he said.

“All of the partners were pro-actively involved and committed to the process.”

North Devon Council executive member for parks, Councillor Derrick Spear, added: “This represents a significant saving for all the councils at a time when authorities are having to make tough budget decisions in the face of government cutbacks. Team members from each council brought different skills and expertise to the project.”

ISS Facilities Services Landscaping will take over the grounds maintenance works from April 1.

Phil Jones, managing director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping said they were delighted to have secured the contract.

“We understand the importance of service excellence within the public sector and we will prioritise the delivery of appropriate and flexible resources together with innovation to provide a valuable service to the communities of Torridge and North Devon,” he said.

“ISS has more than 30 years of experience in partnering and we continue to work with our clients to find joint solutions to the challenges which are facing many local authorities today. Our goal is to develop a true partnership with Torridge District Council and provide their communities with parks and open spaces that they can be proud of.”