At the moment, the houses we own receive different levels of service for grass cutting, hedge trimming, weed control and other maintenance depending on where they are. These differences exist because each former district and borough council had its own approach to grounds maintenance on housing land. We want to introduce a single, fair, consistent and easy‑to‑understand grounds maintenance service for all areas.
Last year, we asked you to fill in a survey about your views and experiences of the current grounds maintenance service. This feedback has helped us understand what is working well, where things are inconsistent, and what matters most to tenants across different parts of the county.
A group made up of Elected Members, officers and tenant representatives has looked at the service in detail – this has included looking at the survey results, complaints, site visits, local knowledge and facts gathered from actually running the grounds maintenance service day-to-day.
They have suggested a number of improvements which have been brought together in a draft Grounds Maintenance Policy.
We are now asking for your views to inform the final version of the policy. Your feedback will help us make sure the new policy is clear, fair and reflects the needs of tenants across North Yorkshire.
What this means for you
If these changes are approved:
- you will know exactly what work will happen and how often
- the service will be more consistent across all areas
- there will be a clearer process for reporting problems
- you should notice improvements in tidiness, safety and appearance of communal areas
- you will have more opportunities to give feedback and get involved locally
Proposed changes in Harrogate
Information about the proposed new grounds maintenance policy for tenants in the former Harrogate Borough Council area.
Changes in the proposal are that:
- hedge maintenance is reduced from two cuts per year to one cut per year, but with a new responsive service introduced if any extra maintenance is identified
- grass cutting moves from a fortnightly schedule (14 cuts per year) to a minimum of 10 cuts per year, approximately every three weeks, dependent upon grass and weather conditions
- tree maintenance on communal land is standardised to a fixed three year proactive inspection cycle based on risk, replacing Harrogate’s broader three to five year rolling programme. This is in line with the our Tree Management Policy and does not apply to trees within your garden, which remain your responsibility under your tenancy agreement
- winter maintenance will formally defined as gritting footways on high priority sites such as Independent Living (sheltered housing) schemes and community centres
- weed and moss control remains at twice per year, with physical weed removal included
- leaf clearance stays at once per year, but with a responsive service introduced should additional maintenance be identified
The proposed policy introduces several new elements:
- Biodiversity support, including tenant led wildflower initiatives and designated spaces
- Creation of an Annual Investment Fund: A dedicated £50,000 fund for five years, separate from the maintenance budget
- Tenant communication, including publishing service schedules online and in tenant newsletters
- Tenant and community involvement, encouraging council supported, community led projects such as gardening initiatives
Return to the Draft Grounds Maintenance Policy survey page
Proposed changes in Richmond
Information about the proposed new grounds maintenance policy for tenants in the former Richmondshire District Council area.
In the proposal:
- Hedge maintenance proposed policy is one scheduled cut per year plus a responsive service, whereas previously in Richmondshire there were two cuts per year. There would be a reactive service introduced, should any additional maintenance be identified.
- Weed and moss control: policy proposes twice yearly treatment including physical weed removal, matching Richmondshire’s previous schedule.
- Leaf clearance: Proposed policy is once per year with additional responsive service introduced should additional maintenance be identified, compared to once per year for paths only in the previous Richmondshire policy.
- Grass cutting: Proposed policy sets a minimum of ten cuts per year (every three weeks), while previously Richmondshire offered fourteen cuts per year (every two weeks, April–October) This is dependent upon grass and weather conditions.
- Tree maintenance on communal land: is standardised to a fixed three-year pro-active inspection cycle based on risk, where previously no dedicated service was offered in Richmondshire. This is in-line with the North Yorkshire Council Tree maintenance policy and does not apply to trees within your garden, which remain your responsibility under your tenancy agreement.
- Winter maintenance: Gritting will be provided to footways at high-priority sites (Independent Living (sheltered housing) schemes and community centres); no previous service existed in Richmondshire.
The proposed policy introduces several new elements:
- Biodiversity support, including tenant led wildflower initiatives and designated spaces
- Creation of an Annual Investment Fund: A dedicated £50,000 fund for five years, separate from the maintenance budget
- Tenant communication, including publishing service schedules online and in tenant newsletters
- Tenant and community involvement, encouraging council supported, community led projects such as gardening initiatives
Return to the Draft Grounds Maintenance Policy survey page
Proposed changes in Selby
Information about the proposed new grounds maintenance policy for tenants in the former Selby District Council area.
In the proposal:
- Hedge maintenance: Proposed policy is to maintain one scheduled cut per year with the addition of a responsive service. There would be a reactive service introduced, should any additional maintenance be identified.
- Weed and moss control: Policy proposes twice yearly treatment including physical weed removal.
- Leaf clearance: Proposed policy is once per year with additional responsive service introduced should additional maintenance be identified.
- Grass cutting: Policy sets a minimum of ten cuts per year (every three weeks) dependent upon grass and weather conditions. Selby DC offered cuts every four weeks.
- Tree maintenance on communal land: is standardised to a fixed three-year pro-active inspection cycle based on risk, where previously no dedicated service was offered in Selby. This is in-line with the North Yorkshire Council Tree maintenance policy and does not apply to trees within your garden, which remain your responsibility under your tenancy agreement.
- Winter maintenance: Gritting will be provided to footways at high-priority sites (Independent Living (sheltered housing) schemes and community centres); no previous service existed in Selby.
The proposed policy introduces several new elements:
- Biodiversity support, including tenant led wildflower initiatives and designated spaces
- Creation of an Annual Investment Fund: A dedicated £50,000 fund for five years, separate from the maintenance budget
- Tenant communication, including publishing service schedules online and in tenant newsletters
- Tenant and community involvement, encouraging council supported, community led projects such as gardening initiatives