Hastings Borough Council manages all Council owned open space within the Borough, which is in turn maintained through our Grounds Maintenance contractor. Areas include: Parks and Gardens; Recreation Grounds; Open Spaces; Watercouses; Town Centre Displays; Cemetery and Crematorium; Closed Churchyards; Country Park and Local Nature Reserves; Woodland and Seafront.
A range of improvements has been made to the way open space is now managed and sustainability is now a key priority. We are attempting to focus our budgets towards the needs of the community and ensuring that everyone has access to open space close to their home.
We have already introduced more sustainable working practices and plan to do much more; they include:
Battle Road roundabout was landscaped several years ago as a 'gateway to the town' improvement. It is certainly a tremendous improvement and continues to be maintained to keep it that way. Other similar projects are planned every year to make your town a more attractive place.
Pictured above: Battle Road roundabout, junction with the Ridge
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Hastings Borough Council is committed to improving its open spaces to meet Green Flag standards and in keeping with its Clean, Green and Safe priorities.
Alexandra Park successfully attained the Green Flag for 2004/05.
Spring bedding in Alexandra Park April 2004
The Green Flag is managed by the Civic Trust and fully supported by the Government and CABE Space, (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment).
The criteria for the Green Flag award is:
We aim to provide a combination of facilities to suit everyone in the community and to provide high quality plant displays; which improve the quality of life for residents and make the town attractive for our visitors.
Pictured above: Barrier troughs in Summer - Breeds Place
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Outlined below is a summary of the core service standards included within the specification for the grounds maintenance services. The majority of the service is specified on a performance standard rather than a frequency standard, however for the purpose of this report the indicative frequency standards are shown.
If you wish to report any unmaintained grounds maintenance items in the list below, use the link provided. Please include the location of the problem and any additional relevant information.
Parks and Gardens: Cut to a height of 25mm and leave arisings (cuttings). The height of growth must not exceed 50mm during April to September and 75mm during October to March.
Cycle - All Year
General Open Space: Cut to a height of 50mm throughout the growing season and leave arisings. The height of growth must not exceed 100mm.
Cycle - All Year
Prestige Areas: Cut to a height of 12mm and remove arisings using a cylinder mower with a minimum of 80 cuts per metre, or an approved rotary mower with collection facility, to remove stalks. The height of growth must not exceed 25mm throughout the year.
Cycle - April to October
Report uncut grass in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information regarding the problem)
regime 1 Cut once each year in early September to a height of 75mm and leave cuttings.
Cycle - scheduled
regime 2 Cut twice a year, first cut being undertaken during the second two weeks of April and second cut at the end of August to a height between 75mm and leave cuttings.
Cycle - scheduled
regime 3 Cut from mid March to the end of April (generally two cuts in early Spring), to a height of 50mm. Leave areas for Spring/Summer wild flowers until mid July, then top regularly, reducing the height from 100mm gradually to 75mm in August and 50mm in September. All cuttings to be left.
Cycle - scheduled
Report unmaintained flowers in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information regarding the problem)
Ornamental Hedges: Trim monthly during the course of the growing season as required.
Cycle - scheduled
High amenity Hedges: Trim on 2 separate occasions, once during June and once during September/October.
Cycle - scheduled
Amenity Hedges: Trim once per year in September/October.
Cycle - scheduled
Report unmaintained flowers in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
Maintained clean and tidy all year with good flowering potential.
Cycle - all year
Report unmaintained flowers in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
High amenity shrub borders: Maintained clean and tidy, to a high standard.
Cycle - all year
Amenity shrub borders: Trim ground vegetation and remove arisings, to prevent competition with shrubs. Translocation herbicide to be used on perennial and pernicious weeds, mulch can be used to suppress unwanted growth.
Cycle - all year
Report unmaintained flowers in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
Maintained to a high standard. Displays in March until April and June until September.
Cycle - planted October/June
Report unmaintained flowers in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
Maintained to a good standard and marked clearly. Maintenance is designed to maximise use throughout the season
Cycle - marked weekly September until May
Report an unmaintained fooball pitch
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
In accordance with Environmental Protection Act codes of practise. Accumulations of litter must be cleared quickly
Cycle - daily clean
Report uncleared litter in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
Removed within 48 hours. Zero tolerance
Cycle - all year
Report graffiti in parks or open spaces
(Please include the location and any additional information relating to the problem)
Keep clean and safe, inspected every day. Top priority for actions
Cycle - all year
Report an unclean or unsafe playground
(Please include the playground location and any additional information relating to the problem)
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This page last updated: 04/10/2007