Grass cutting contract awarded to six Powys companies

21/03/2019 @ 11:17

A controversial grass cutting contract that led to residents and motorists in Newtown and surrounding areas raising complaining about overgrown road verges and public areas has been awarded to six Powys contractors.

Powys County Council came under fire last year after a contract it let to a single contractor saw widespread complaints about dangerous junctions where grass was overgrown and grass and recreational areas owned by the county council in Newtown and other communities were left untouched.

Six Powys-based contractors and one on the Powys / Shropshire border have been awarded a three-year contract to carry out grass cutting on behalf of the county council.

Powys County Council has awarded its grounds maintenance contract to the following contractors:

· David Bradburn – Garth

· OTM Garden, Groundwork and Tree Surgery – Hay-on-Wye

· JK Jones Landscapers – Machynlleth

· MS and C Heaton – Llanfyllin

· Jimmy Hughes Services Ltd – Llandrindod Wells

· Andrew Mills Tree Surgeon and Sons – Llandrindod Wells

· Land Right Services – Oswestry

From 1 April the contractors will be responsible for grass cutting at the council’s 15 cemeteries as well as seven urban grass verge areas across the county. The contract is in place for three years with an option to extend for another 12 months.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to award our grounds maintenance contract to a number of Powys-based contractors.

“One of the aims for this Cabinet was to keep the Powys pound in Powys and this contract does exactly that, with over £200,000 a year going to local contractors to carry out grass cutting duties.

“These contractors will be providing an important service within our communities. I wish them all the best and look forward to developing a working relationship with the successful contractors over the next three years which will benefit our local communities.”