Grounds Maintenance Service Standards
Grounds Maintenance Service Standards
In order to provide a degree of operational planning, service standards for grounds maintenance activities have been designed around resource availability, zoning methodology and the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse that defines standards for cleanliness and weed growth.
Grounds Maintenance Standards that are maintained are detailed as follows:
Zone / Category | Zone Summary / Remarks | Grass Cutting | Weed Spraying | Hedge Cutting |
1 - Town Centre | This would include areas of high footfall associated with educational establishment, particularly secondary and primary schools | 12 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases (only where required), fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually | 1 x annually |
2 - Residential (high density) | Terraced, tenement, flatted housing and educational establishments | 12 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases (only where required), fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually | 1 x annually |
3 - Residential (low density) | Detached and semi-detached
Housing and educational establishments | 12 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases, fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually
Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually | 1 x annually |
4 - Sports fields and facilities | Football pitches, athletic fields etc. and all sports facilities managed by West Lothian Council | 16 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases (only where required), fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually
| Ad Hoc |
5- Open spaces, parks and cemeteries | Open spaces and parks not classified as common ground. Cemeteries will receive the same standard of cutting as parks. | 12 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases (only where required), fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually | Ad Hoc |
6 - Industrial areas | Areas of common ground within industrial estates | 12 x annually | Shrub beds, tree bases (only where required), fence lines/channels & obstructions 2 x annually Highway kerbs, path edges, slabbed & whin paths 1 x annually | Ad Hoc |
7 - Classified roads and verges and roundabout (up to first 2m) not included in zones 1 - 3 | Classified Roads (A, B and C) linking towns and residential areas | 2 x annually | Ad Hoc | Ad Hoc |
8 - Rural roads and verges (Up to 1m) including Livingston Greenways (not including public parks) | These areas have specific health and safety requirements to ensure safe operation | 2 x annually | Ad Hoc | Ad Hoc |
9 - Central reservations | Potential for a second visit if required/ appropriate | 1 x annually | Ad Hoc | Ad Hoc |
10 - Areas managed for biodiversity/wildlife verges/ Wildflower meadows etc. | A number of sites are being managed where they've been identified to be of significance for biodiversity. | 1 x (and lift/ or grazed) annually | Ad Hoc (only where required e.g. INNS) | Ad Hoc |
- Shrub pruning is carried out to all Council beds once a year between November and March
- Garden Maintenance scheme (for Council tenants only) - Grass cutting x 11 visits a year with every 3rd cycle including strimming edges. Hedges cut x 1 visit a year
Sustainable Amenity Grassland Management Strategy: Incorporating Community Choices to Grounds Maintenance.
- Sustainable Amenity Grassland Strategy - Appendix A (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)
- For further information, please visit Local Biodiversity Action Plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)