The contractor will deliver grounds maintenance services to 76 parks and more than 300 open spaces across Camden, including large historic parks, small neighbourhood spaces, sports facilities, and formal London squares. There is an option to extend the contract by a further three years after the initial five-year term. It replaced OCS and took on 53 members of staff under TUPE agreements.
Camden Council has defined aims for delivery of the services, including the goal of creating a resilient community able to do more for itself. idverde will work with the council and stakeholders such residents’ associations, friends of parks groups, tenant and resident groups, Business Improvement Districts, schools, and volunteer organisations.
idverde will also create opportunities for local people by providing work experience, apprenticeships and training, and will work with partner organisations such as charities and in particular The Conservation Volunteers to provide opportunities for disadvantaged groups and the general public as whole.
Other innovations idverde will bring to the new contract include investment in new electric and Euro-6 standard vehicles, including an electric John Deere utility vehicle for Waterlow Park. Operatives will also use electric small plant as much as possible in busy areas.
Staff transferring over will benefit from idverde’s development programme, with opportunities to be trained as Lantra-Awards qualified trainers and Driver Assessors.
Managing director of idverde’s Community Open Spaces division, Clive Ivil said: "We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract with Camden Council. We feel our bid speaks to the council’s strategic objectives for the service, and the desire of local residents to have good quality clean parks and green spaces, with visible staff achieving a right first time responsive service."
Cabinet member for sustainability and environment councillor Meric Apak said the council had to find "new and innovative" ways of providing services because of Government cuts.
"Our new contract with idverde will provide a flexible, adaptive and nature conservation-led grounds maintenance service which will ensure we will continue to deliver quality green spaces that are even better for nature."
