Grounds maintenance
This information tells you how Helena Homes maintains the areas and estates where you live. It sets out our commitment to high quality environments for our customers.
Since 2004, all grounds maintenance work has been carried out by our contractor - Glendale Managed Services.
This page contains information on the level of service you can expect for your area. There’s a detailed calendar which explains what work we do at different times of the year. You’ll also find details of how we monitor our performance, as well as how to make an enquiry or complaint. We welcome your comments and feedback.
What work is carried out throughout the year?
We have four types of site where grounds maintenance work is carried out. These are: the communal areas of sheltered housing schemes; housing estates; the courtyards of flats, and finally garage sites, demolition sites and any other open spaces.
Under our contract with Glendale Managed Services the following schedule of works applies:
Sheltered Accommodation (Communal Areas)
March to November
- Grass cut and clippings collected
- Shrubs and rose beds maintenance including pruning and litter removal.
- Hedges trimmed twice (June and September)
November/December
- Leaves cleared from paths and hard surfaces
January/February
- Application of weed and moss killer to paths and hard surfaces
Year round
- 28 litter visits per year
Housing Estates
March to November
- Grass cut and clippings collected
- Shrub bed maintenance including pruning and removal of litter
- Hedges trimmed twice (June and September)
Year round
- 26 litter visits per year
Flats - Courtyards
- Hedges trimmed twice per year (June and September)
January/February
- Application of weed moss killer to paths and hard surfaces
OAP/Disabled Gardens
Eligibility for this service is subject to strict criteria. However this list is now closed and anyone requesting assistance should contact their Neighbourhood Officer.
March to October
- Strimming of grass areas eight times per year, once per month (note: grass cuttings are not removed)
- Hedges trimmed twice per year (June and September)
January/February
- Application of weed killer to paths and hard surfaces
Garage sites, demolition sites and any other open spaces
March to November
- Grass cut (16 visits per year; please note: grass cuttings are not collected)
- Hedges trimmed twice per year (June and September)
January /February
- Application of weed killer to hard surfaces
Who carries out the work on my estate?
Helena Homes awarded a contract to Glendale Managed Services in 2004 to maintain all the open plan estates and amenity land we own. The initial contract was for three years but this has now been extended to the end of 2009. Glendale is a national company based in Preston but with a base in St Helens. It has a number of high profile customers including several local authorities and the Royal parks.
How is performance monitored?
Before awarding the contract to Glendale a group of residents were involved in agreeing what it would include. It is hoped to reconvene this residents’ focus group in the near future to involve it in the ongoing monitoring of performance.
Within the contract are a number of key performance indicators which are monitored each year to see how well the company is doing. This way, we hope to keep standards of quality, efficiency and service high.
Helena’s Environment Team monitors performance, drawing on information from site visits carried out by the Clerk of Works. Meetings take place between them and Glendale every two weeks to discuss progress.
How do I make a complaint or comment?
Please contact your local neighbourhood office if you wish to make a comment, report anything, or complain.
Click here to find out how to contact our local neighbourhood offices>
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