Proposed service charge for grounds maintenance
We ran a consultation for tenants and leaseholders of Homes and Neighbourhoods properties
We are considering adding a weekly charge for looking after green spaces on your street and in your area. The proposed changes are about how we maintain shared areas, not private gardens. This would be like the extra charges some tenants and leaseholders pay for window cleaning.
The consultation is now closed.
Why we are doing this
We spend about £2 million a year on this service. Many councils have always charged for these services. Until now, we've covered the costs, but we can't afford to do this anymore.
What you will get
- Grass cutting: Your grass will be cut every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, up to 12 times a year. We'll move any grass clippings from paths and other hard surfaces.
- Shrubs: Shrubs will get a trim once a year, usually during the winter. We'll do a more thorough cutback every three years to keep them healthy.
- Hedge maintenance: Hedges will be cut once a year. As per legal guidelines, we'll do this between October and February to protect nesting birds.
- Weed control: We'll treat weeds around grass edges and along walls and fences once a year, usually at the start of the growing season.
- Herbaceous (non-woody plants that die down to the root each year) beds: These will get a yearly tidy-up, including weed removal and trimming back of plants.
- Trees and woodlands: We'll take care of trees according to national standards and our policies.
The cost
The charge would be £1.76 per week. This helps us cover the cost of maintaining:
- 553 acres (approximately 277 football pitches) of grass
- 20 acres (approximately ten football pitches) of shrub beds
- 7 miles (roughly the distance between Huddersfield and Dewsbury) of hedges