- Id
- 1
- Title
- General Grounds Maintenance
- Status
- complete
- Has Options
- Yes
- Description
- A. Grass Cutting & Litter Collection
The Contractor must carry out grass cutting (either standard 'cut and drop' or 'cut and collect' - please specify in the application) and litter picking across all designated sites, ensuring that grass does not exceed the agreed height limit of 10cm.
Using the map and documents in Appendix 1 and 2, all the sites under this Lot are detailed. Areas highlighted green must be maintained so that grass never exceeds 10cm, and vegetation encroaching on pathways must be cut back to the path edge to ensure full and unobstructed use of the path. The blue areas are designated wildlife zones and must only be cut once per annum in September/October (weather dependent and may take place earlier in cases of wildfire risk). The areas in purple indicate the location of a sports pitch; dark blue shows the cricket outfield; yellow indicates the dual-use pitch, pink shows the areas to be cut twice per-annum, orange pins indicate playgrounds, green pin shows our tennis court and lastly, the blue pins show site specific info.
The Contractor is also responsible for routine cutting back of vegetation (as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 and any other locations that may arise within the areas already covered under this Lot.) to ensure the footpaths, signage or sightlines are not encroached upon, as well as to maintain safe access and a tidy appearance. This excludes specialist arboricultural works (e.g. major tree surgery, felling, or works at height requiring a qualified tree surgeon), which will be instructed separately if necessary.
All trees, benches, and other fixed structures within green spaces must be actively avoided to ensure they are not damaged. Any damages must be reported to STC according to section 4J. The Contractor must also make themselves aware of any trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) as any works on these require prior written permission from STC.
B. Playground Maintenance
At the following sites:
• The Salts Playground
• The Salts Skatepark
• The Crouch
Contractor must maintain playgrounds and associated areas:
• Maintain the sandpit by topping up with certified play-grade sand, ensuring safety and compliance with relevant playground standards.
• Cut grass in play areas as soon as it exceeds 10cm in height or sooner.
• Maintain up to date records/logs of all maintenance carried out, including:
o Date of work performed
o Description of tasks completed
o Any issues identified and actions taken
o Photographic evidence of completed work
o Records must be available for inspection by STC.
C. Sports Pitch Management
The Contractor shall manage the Council's sports pitches and associated facilities. This contract does not include the provision of fine turf or specialist grounds services (e.g cricket squares, bowling greens). Works are limited to maintaining safe, playable grass surfaces for football, rugby, cricket outfield, and stoolball, as set out below, ensuring all areas are maintained to a safe, playable and visually acceptable standard. For the purposes of this contract, 'playable' and 'match-ready' refers to the Grounds Management Assocation's standards - see Standards and Guidance section below.
Responsibilities are:
• Football (STFC at the Crouch and Premier Football at The Salts):
o Prepare pitches to a match-ready standard, including line marking and top-ups, which must only be carried out when instructed by STC, using the Contractor's own marking equipment unless otherwise directed.
o Maintain grass at an appropriate height for football (during August-May, maximum 20-35mm).
o Inspect & repair pitches regularly for hazards, including litter, broken glass, holes, divots, waterlogging or other obstructions.
o Undertake seasonal maintenance: mowing, aeration, reseeding, fertilising, sanding, rolling, and topdressing to ensure safe, playable surfaces.
o Observe a rest period for grass from mid-May to August to support regrowth and pitch health.
o Provide pre-season preparation, including seeding, sanding, scarifying and rolling, prior to the start of the playing season.
o Water, provided by STC, may be accessed at the point indicated in Appendix 1 and 2. The Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment, including hoses of sufficient length to service the designated work areas.
• Rugby (at The Salts):
o Prepare pitches to a match-ready standard, including line marking and top-ups, which must only be carried out as instructed by STC, using the Contractor's own marking equipment unless otherwise directed.
o Remove and securely store rugby posts at The Salts Recreation Ground, outside of playing season.
o Strim around goal storage areas and inspect and remove hazards (including litter, broken glass, or damage to posts).
o Maintain grass at appropriate playing height (typically 25-75mm) through regular mowing.
o Repair divots, bare patches and high-wear areas to maintain a safe and playable surface, as well as keeping the pitch and surrounding areas clean, removing litter and debris.
o Undertake seasonal maintenance and end-of-season renovation (overseeding, aeration, fertilisation) as agreed with STC.
o Report any damage to rugby posts, sockets, or equipment and agree remedial action agreed with STC and stakeholders.
o Water provided by STC may be accessed at the point indicated in Appendix 1 and 2. The Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment, including hoses of sufficient length to service the designated work areas.
• Cricket (at The Salts):
o Maintain the outfield throughout the cricket season (April-September).
o Prepare the outfield to a match-ready standard, ensuring grass does not exceed 25mm and is free of hazards (e.g divots or broken glass) and debris.
o Repair bare patches and high-wear areas to maintain a safe and playable surface.
• Dual-Use Pitches
o Appendix 1 identifies the area of The Salts highlighted in yellow. This area is a dual-use pitch and must be prepared for cricket during the summer months and for rugby during the winter months. It is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure that this area is maintained, prepared and presented to a match-ready and playable condition for all scheduled fixtures.
• Tennis (at The Salts):
o Sweep tennis courts weekly to maintain a safe, debris-free surface.
• Changing Rooms & Facilities (The Salts):
o Unlock, clean, and prepare changing rooms and associated facilities prior to use, and lock and secure them after use.
o Ensure all facilities are left in a clean, safe and serviceable condition, in line with fixture schedules notified by Authorised STC Officer.
• Method, Programme and Reporting:
o Contractor is responsible for determining methods, schedules and resources required to achieve the specified outcomes.
o Tender submissions must include proposed approaches, equipment list and indicative timetable.
o Maintain an up-to-date schedule of works for STC, ensuring that STC (and relevant stakeholders where appropriate) are notified in advance of any significant changes.
• Standards & Guidance:
o Follow professional guidance and best practice as recommended by the Ground Management Association: GMA Home - Grounds Management Association.
o Maintain records of maintenance activities, inspections and any issues identified.
• Contractor Storage Facility
A storage hut located at The Crouch is available for the Contractor's use during the contract period. The following conditions apply:
o The hut may be used solely for the storage of equipment and materials required for delivery of the STC grounds maintenance contract.
o The Contractor is responsible for keeping the hut secure at all times, including the safe management of any keys or access codes provided.
o The Contractor must maintain the hut in a clean and tidy condition and ensure no hazardous substances are stored without the Council's prior written consent.
o The Council accepts no liability for any loss, theft, or damage to the Contractor's property stored in the hut.
o Use of the hut is conditional on the Contractor vacating it immediately upon the end of the contract or upon request by the Council, leaving it in good condition.
D. Watering
For both the rugby and football pitches:
• Water may be accessed at the points indicated in Appendix 1 and 2, at The Salts Recreation Ground and The Crouch. The Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment, including hoses of sufficient length to service the designated work areas.
E. Emergency Works
• Within your tender application please make clear what hours of call out cover you intend to offer and how you will staff this. We're happy to accept proposals that do not include Christmas Day and New Years Day. We will also accept proposals that aren't able to offer a full 24 hour cover.
• Make unsafe areas safe within 2 hours of notification.
• Maintain Heras fencing in their depot for immediate use if necessary.
• Carry out emergency repairs to playground equipment within 24 hours where reasonably practicable or otherwise within a timescale agreed with STC.