The Director of Technical Services formally introduced Mary Bagley, the Parks and Countryside Manager to the Cabinet.  Members were told that she had been in the employ of Wirral Council for six months and was doing a fantastic job.

The Director of Technical Services informed that, following on from the decision ratified by Cabinet on 3 November 2011 to not award an external contract for the delivery of parks and countryside services and continue the direct delivery of these services in-house (Minute No. 173 refers), the report provided an update on progress in integrating Highways Grounds Maintenance Services into the Council, sought approval for the extension of the existing Highways Arboricultural Maintenance contract with Amenity Tree Care Limited and sought endorsement for the proposed project management arrangements and Outline Delivery Plan to modernise the service.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the progress made in integrating Highways Grounds Maintenance Services formerly delivered by Continental Landscapes Limited into the Council be noted;

(2)  the extension of the existing Highways Arboricultural Maintenance Contract with Amenity Tree Care Limited on the same terms and conditions until 31 December 2012 for the reasons stated in section 5.3 of the report be approved; and

(3)  the proposed project management arrangements and Outline Delivery Plan to modernise the Parks and Countryside Service for spring 2013 be noted and endorsed.