GROUNDS maintenance, including grass and bush cutting, could return to being run by Basildon Council in a bid to improve the service and the look of the borough.

A council meeting was held after it became a top priority for residents.

Basildon Council is considering the move, which could also bring a degree of pride and responsibility to the service, the council's cabinet was told during a meeting on December 9. 

Councillors told the meeting that grounds maintenance, including grass cutting, is "the number two complaint" from residents, and there are concerns about the service and how it's being carried out currently. 

Aidan McGurran, councillor for the environment and leisure, said: "Some key changes have already been delivered, including much greater flexibility, but that's just the start because clearly a lot more needs to be done. I think as councillors, in terms of our mailboxes, we all know that and experience that. 

"On the work that's been done thus far, and there's more to be done, it looks like the in-house direct service organisation option is the most economically preferable, not only is it the most economically preferable I think in terms of what this administration stands for it is the most preferable, what our residents want, it's the most preferable and in terms of what councillors want I think across the chamber it's the most preferable.

"Obviously there's still a lot of work to be done, we need to make sure the economics are absolutely bang on, and that there are no risk elements we are not seeing at the moment, and full financial evaluation checks need to take place. I am delighted to say, subject to all the necessary checks, that in-house via direct service organisation is the way forward.

"If it's our own people doing this job, there's a degree of pride in what they are doing, there's a degree of responsibility, we know we get better results from our own people, and they feel a connection with the residents, which isn't always the case at other times."

Melissa McGeorge, councillor for community safety and enforcement, added: "This is behind the bins, the number two complaint I am getting from residents, the grass not being cut, the hedges not being cut, I was working from home one day not too long ago and I was watching the staff doing their winter prune.

"There are hedges that haven't been cut, there was no PPE being worn, these are people that are our service providers that are supposed to be doing a job safely, and properly, I really welcome the idea that we can bring this back in house, subject to looking into this financially.

"I feel it makes a much more unified approach to everything that we are doing around the borough, and we can make sure things are being completed properly."