Arun District Council awards new Greenspace contract
By outlining a firm commitment to invest in key green spaces within Arun and create training opportunities for local people, ISS Facility Services Landscaping has been awarded the Council’s ten year Greenspace Management contract.
The contract, which will run from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2027, will include upkeep of parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation facilities, along with repairs and maintenance to more than 70 play areas.
It also includes the supply of plants for the many bedding displays throughout the district.
Four tenders were received in total, with ISS Facility Services coming out as the highest scoring bidder after a rigorous tender process.
The company, which has been working in partnership with Arun District Council for 23 years delivering grounds maintenance services, will make savings on the current contract value of around £370,000 per year.
It has also pledged to invest more than £650,000 on improving green spaces, including creating an impressive adventure golf facility at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, bringing a free public challenge fitness course to East Beach Green, Littlehampton, and investing in Norfolk Gardens in Littlehampton.
In partnership with Arun District Council, ISS Facility Services Landscaping will also renovate the café at Marine Park Gardens in Bognor Regis and has pledged to provide free-to-use tennis courts.
The award of the contract was approved by members of Arun District Council’s Cabinet at a meeting earlier this month. The delivery of the contract fits with the Council’s Priority of “Your services - delivering you the best services we can afford” and the 2020 Vision programme – to reduce our costs, make service improvements and balance our budget.
The contractors and Arun District Council will be consulting with interested parties to help shape the planned improvements to green spaces in Arun.
Councillor Terence Chapman, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “We are proud of our 240 hectares of parks and open spaces in Arun and I am very pleased that ISS Facility Services Landscaping has been awarded this innovative new contract. I am confident that they will deliver a high-quality service and, working closely with the Council, help it to deliver its priorities.”
Phil Jones, Managing Director at ISS Facility Services Landscaping, said: “I am delighted that ISS has been awarded the next generation green space management contract with Arun District Council. All tenderers were set the challenge of rising to meet the future requirements of Arun residents and visitors to the district. This is no ordinary grounds maintenance contract, nor should it be, given the uniqueness of the Arun district.
“I am glad my team has risen to the challenge of providing a cost effective, value for money service, whilst also committing to significant investment for the future, which will deliver some exciting projects, as well as providing a number of employment opportunities for local people. I look forward to delivering those commitments and to working in partnership with Arun District Council for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
As part of the new contract, ISS Facility Services Landscaping will offer three apprenticeships and a placement for a marketing graduate. Currently, 94% of its Arun workforce is from the local area.
It has pledged to give 200 hours of free voluntary support to Arun’s network of community groups along with making a £2,000 grant funding pot available to them, and invest £875,000 in new machinery and equipment.