GroundsConsulting recently supported a District Council in the South East with a comparator bid to review their grounds maintenance procurement. This compared the costs of creating an In-house team with those of outsourcing the service.
Case Studies
Case Study 1:
District Council in South East England (2014) - Market Appraisal
Case Study 2:
Local Authority in Kent (2015) - Options Appraisal
GroundsConsulting has recently supported a borough council to appraise delivery options for the grounds maintenance service, including outsourcing, trading company, in-house, Partnership and joint venture. We were asked to consider the service delivery options for improved grounds maintenance services at the expiry of the current contract, with the aim to improve service quality, performance and the presentation of green spaces.
The project has involved extensive operational and financial modelling of delivery options, as well as a Business Case and Business Plan for the preferred option. GroundsConsulting continue to provide support and assistance on this issue going forward until implementation.
Case Study 3:
A Borough Council, Kent (2015) - Baseline Audit
GroundsConsulting was asked to carry out an audit of the current condition of grounds maintenance with the borough. This included the review of the current specification and monitoring of the contract.
Audit criteria were identified and site inspections carried out. In addition GroundsConsulting carried out a workshop session with client officers. Analysis of these findings was carried out and a report written detailing recommendations for improvements to the service.
Case Study 4:
District Council in South East England (2014) - Interim Parks Management
GroundsConsulting provided full time interim management for the In-house
grounds maintenance service. This included management of the day to day operational running of the service. Key deliverables included a service review, a health and safety review and a financial review of the service.
Case Study 5:
Mobilisation of in-house Services, South East Local Authority
GroundsConsulting have overseen the implementation of a new operational in-house grounds maintenance service, transitioning from an external contractor to a Council DSO. We have provided mobilisation, planning and support, working with the local authority to identify requirements and facilitate the set up of the new service. This has included ensuring contract continuity until cessation of the existing contract, depot set up, machinery and vehicle procurement, health and safety documents and policies shaping of the new service.
“Ashford Borough Council engaged GroundsConsulting to support the Council to bring back in house the grounds maintenance service with the aim of raising quality and value. As the largest Borough Council in Kent this has been a major transformational project for our Council and the support and insight of GroundsConsulting has been invaluable; they bring a blend of commercial and public sector understanding along with their industry knowledge, hard work and positive approach to the task. A pleasure to work with.”
Mark Carty, Head of Culture & Environment, Ashford Borough Council.
