Grounds Maintenance Comparison Table

Area / Task

Grass Cutting

Flower beds

Weed control

Hedge cutting

Tree maintenance

Gritting

Initiatives

Reporting issues

Other

North Yorkshire Council (Harrogate Standard)

Fortnightly (Apr-Oct)

Clippings left

 

Maintained fortnightly 

Treated in April and Sept

Twice annually (Jul-Aug, Nov-Jan)

Inspected on a 3-5 year rolling programme

Occurs but nor formally specified 

None specified

Standard contact channels 

Garden Assistance for vulnerable tenants

Broadacres

16 cuts annually (Apr-Oct)

Clippings left 

Maintained during growing season; reduced in winter 

Not specified

Twice annually

Regular inspection – will plant new trees where appropriate

Not specified

None specified

Estate inspections and standard contact channels 

 

Yorkshire Housing

Every 2 – 3 weeks

Clippings left 

Shrubs pruned up to 3 times per year; winter maintenance included

Up to twice annually 

Not specified

In line with any specific local arrangements 

Carried out to sheltered properties

Annual garden awards with multiple categories

Site audits and standard contact channels

Support for tenants via Home Improvement Agency

Women’s Pioneer Housing

Every 2 weeks (Apr-Oct)

Every 4 weeks

As required

Twice Annually

Regular inspection and maintenance

sheltered schemes only

None specified

Estate inspections and via written request

 

Westward Housing

Every 2 weeks (Apr-Oct)

 

1-2 times a year depending on species

As required

2-4 times a year

Not specified

Not specified

None specified

Estate inspections and standard contact channels 

 

Thirteen Group

Frequency not specified; seasonal

Frequency not specified

Frequency not specified

Frequency not specified

Inspection at an appropriate frequency

Not specified

In summer, grass left to grow long creating native wildflower meadows & walkways

Estate visits and neighbourhood coordinator contact

Concessionary Garden Scheme for elderly and vulnerable tenants

Together Housing Group

14 cuts per year (Apr – Oct); Clippings left

Annually

Three times a year

Twice annually

Monitored regularly

Not specified 

Biodiversity areas left uncut

Monthly contractor audits; standard contact

Maps available online and weather forecasts for grounds maintenance

Jigsaw Homes

Frequency not specified; must be kept no higher than 50mm

Maintained for healthy growth

All areas must be free from weed control

Must not obstruct

Must ensure safety

Not specified

None specified

Issues reported via Jigsaw Connect or on site visits

Specification based approach rather than a frequency based approach

Platform Housing Group

Monthly (Mar-Oct) Clippings left

Maintained regularly

Spot treatment all year round

Maintained regularly but no cutting Mar – Jul

Maintained but frequency not specified

Not specified

None specified

Local Estate Inspector or standard contact

 

 

 

Canterbury City Council

Approx. every 10 working days (Mar – Oct)


Wildflower beds annually

Shrubs herbaceous  and roses –every four weeks

Treated as required 

Twice annually (Jul and Sept)

Inspected bi-annually

Not specified

Previously have done annual gardening competition

Online reporting tool

Online Map showing maintenance schedules 

West Lothian Council

11 cuts per year; strimming every third cycle 

Twice annually 

Twice annually

Once annually

Not specified

Not specified

None specified

Online reporting tool

 

Dudley Council

12 – 14 cuts per year (Apr – Oct)

Roses pruned Mar-Oct
Other pruning Nov-Feb

Treated in March and July

Twice annually (Jul and Sept)

 

Inspections undertaken regularly

Not specified

Annual garden competition

Online tree reporting tool; other issues via standard contact 

Garden Assistance Services for vulnerable tenants