Council contractor '˜makes a mess of the environment'

Old Farm Park resident Mark Gilliland says he was shocked at the damage to grass verges in Britten Grove which have become a muddy mess after a Serco tractor was used to trim the hedgerows.

He said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I’ve lived here 17 years and in the past 24 months standards of grass cutting and maintenance have fallen to unacceptable levels.

“We now have to live with this eyesore for months.”

Mr Gillialand called the council to complain but was told his call would be logged and dealt with by a supervisor. Unhappy with the response he decided to confront the contractor himself who told him not to worry and that ‘ the grass would grow back’.

He said: “Frankly, I would like to know when the council appointed Serco to run landscaping and ask what money back damages are due when it uses council taxpayers’ money to cause a mess and inconvenience to residents.

“To me it’s another example of public money being wasted on outsourcing deals that promise the earth and deliver nothing. What’s wrong with the council employing and, importantly, managing its own staff?

“It strikes me that the whole thing was run a whole lot better before they did a deal with Serco.”

The council had not responded by the time the Citizen went to press.