Thursday 29th March 2007
(ref:
WLCT 40/2007)
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Grounds Maintenance Service recently picked up the title of the best performing grounds maintenance service in the UK at the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards.
The team of 160, who maintain all of Wigan Borough’s parks, green spaces, sports pitches and trees, beat 74 other council’s from all four corners of the UK to win the award.
APSE compares all aspects of the service such as value for money, quality assurance, environmental practices, staff development and customer care by benchmarking it against other local authorities.
Paul Barton, Head of Grounds Maintenance Services for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said,
“We are very proud to receive this extremely prestigious award. It is especially pleasing because it recognises the hard work of all of our staff and further underlines our commitment to providing top quality services to the residents of the Wigan borough”.
The Grounds Maintenance team specialises in a range of services including: arboriculture (tree care); sports turf and care; environmental cleansing; hard surface marking; planting and weeding; landscaping; and other general grounds maintenance services.
The team is responsible for maintaining 500 hectares of recreational green space; 19 parks; 10 countryside sites; 97 sports pitches; 2 golf courses; 9 cemeteries; 10 war memorials; 155 hectares of Council housing land; 60 hectares of Council highway land; 140 school grounds and over 4000 trees.
Rodney Hill, Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said,
“Our Grounds Maintenance team are the epitome of professionalism and dedication. We are delighted they have picked up this accolade as they have to deal with some very demanding situations, such as the recent storm damage, but they always come out on top. I would like to thank each and everyone of the team for their commitment and I hope they continue to provide residents from across the borough with an excellent service.”
Paul O'Brien, Chief Executive of APSE, said,
“These awards recognise the very best in local authority front line services, rewarding excellence and continuous improvement. Delivering value for money and quality services for the UK taxpayers. The achievements of local authority direct service providers are a real cause for celebration”.
For further information about Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Grounds Maintenance Services please visit www.wlct.org/greenspaces or call the general enquiry number on 01942 731400.
