Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Corporate Strategy (attached)

Purpose: to consider Sodexo Limited’s performance in delivering the grounds maintenance services contract for the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 and make any comments to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for grounds maintenance to enable him to make a final assessment on performance.

The committee considered the report of the head of corporate strategy setting out the performance of Sodexo Limited in providing grounds maintenance services in South Oxfordshire from 1 January to 31 December 2013.

Mr Ian Matten, Waste and Parks Service Manager, and Mr David Dodds, Cabinet member, introduced the report and answered questions from the committee. Mr Kevin Harkness, representing Sodexo, answered questions.

They explained that performance had improved since the previous review.  The majority of the work under the joint contract was carried out in Vale of White Horse District Council. Work for this council covered diverse small areas mainly around Didcot and burial grounds in Kidmore End and Wallingford. Customers and council officers looked for different things from the contractor. The apprenticeship scheme was going very well. Officers were working on setting more realistic and achievable timescales for resolving complaints and notifications.

Councillors congratulated Sodexo on its apprenticeship scheme and on exceeding its health and safety targets.

RESOLVED:

To recommend that the Cabinet member for finance, parks and waste assess the performance of Sodexo Limited in providing grounds maintenance services in South Oxfordshire from 1 January to 31 December 2013 as:

Good