Bridgend Council has made a significant decision to allocate over £300,000 from their capital budget towards establishing an internal grass-cutting service. The council voted during a full council meeting on September 25 to transfer £340,000 from an existing capital project for Ravens Court offices that is no longer required. This funding will be used to cover the expenses associated with setting up the new rural grass-cutting service, including purchasing essential equipment such as mowers and conducting necessary work at the authority’s Bryncethin depot.
The move follows a meeting in January 2024 where it was agreed to bring the service in-house, citing potential cost-effectiveness and flexibility benefits when aligned with the existing park grass-cutting services already managed by the council. Officials highlighted the urgency of placing an equipment order before September 30 to ensure its availability for use by March 2025. Recruitment for staff to support the new service is anticipated to commence in the autumn.
The council identified that £446,000 of capital resources previously assigned to Ravens Court are now surplus to requirements, prompting the proposal to reallocate £340,000 of this sum towards supporting the internal delivery of urban and rural grass-cutting services. Despite strong opposition from some council members regarding the lack of thorough market testing to ascertain potential savings from bringing the service in-house, the decision was ultimately approved.
Concerns were raised about the absence of detailed cost comparisons between outsourcing and internal management, leading to heated debates among councillors. Council Leader Cllr John Spanswick and officers defended the lack of market testing, asserting that earlier assessments had shown increased costs for outsourcing. The vote on the proposal concluded with 28 in favour, 18 against, and no abstentions.
The approved reallocation of funds signifies a strategic shift in Bridgend’s approach to grass-cutting services and reflects the council’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies. As the new service takes shape, close monitoring and assessment will be essential to validate the anticipated benefits and ensure value for the council and its constituents.