2026

GM1153 - Public Rights of Way and Social Prescribing - 010626

A local authority is seeking information on how Public Rights of Way (PROW) teams are working with NHS Trusts, GPs, or other health partners to support wellbeing and social prescribing initiatives.

Colleagues are invited to share examples of:

• Promotion of PROW use for health and wellbeing
• Social prescribing schemes linked to PROW
• Work with volunteer groups supporting the network

Any brief details on approaches or key learning would be welcomed.

GM1149 - Signage on Feeding Ducks and Birds - 130526

A member authority would be interested in examples of signage or artwork used to advise and educate the public on responsible feeding of ducks and birds, including messaging on what to feed (and what not to), environmental impacts and animal welfare considerations.

GM1148 - Community Street Weeding - 120526

A member authority is seeking examples of innovative approaches to encourage community involvement in street weeding within residential areas.

Following the move away from chemical weed control methods in some countries, such as France, there is interest in how councils can support and promote resident-led weeding initiatives.

The authority would welcome insight on:

• Successful community engagement or volunteer schemes
• Incentives or campaigns that have encouraged participation
• Practical or operational considerations
• Lessons learned from implementation

GM1146 - Timber from ash die back removal/management - 220526

A local authority is looking to see what other local authorities do with their timber from ash dieback removal/management.

Do you chip it?

Do you leave it on site?

Do you have any ideas or experiences of it being used locally for other purposes?

GM1145 - Managing a Surge in Rats on Allotment Sites - 300426

An allotment site has recently experienced a significant increase in rat activity, including extensive burrowing, damage to sheds, and loss of chickens. Plot holders are concerned about food safety and the wellbeing of children on site.

They have removed as much harbourage as possible but require further support. Pest control colleagues have advised that, since 2024, anticoagulant rodenticides cannot be used in open green spaces.

The site is exploring alternative approaches and would welcome feedback from others on:

• Experience with Rodent Raiders – effectiveness, safety, and any reputational concerns, particularly near residential areas.
• Experience with Goodnature A24 traps – effectiveness, suitability for larger rats, and any issues encountered.
• Any other effective rat control measures for allotment settings.

GM1144 - Operating Call Out Crews Suring Stormy Weather - 290426

How do other authorities operate their call out crews during stormy weather.

• What staff do they have to call on for emergencies out of hours?
• Do they carry out dynamic site risk assessments?
• Do they ever stand them down when its extreme?
• Do they work in the dark? If so, what measures do they have in place for cutting and clearing fallen trees in these conditions?
• Do they recharge private owners when they go out to action trees that are blocking footpaths and roads?

GM1143 - Timescales for Play Area Repairs - 280426

Do any other local authorities offer a timescale to service users (either through an SLA or a KPI or just the signage they put up on site) for the number of weeks play area repairs are expected to take?

GM1142 - Commuted Sums for tree maintenance - 270426

A member authority would like to hear from other authorities on how you calculate Commuted Sums for tree maintenance. Is there a formula or Calculator you use that you would be willing to share?

GM1141 - Play Parks, Parks and Open Spaces Strategies - 220426

A member authority is reviewing their play parks, parks and open spaces and would appreciate any copies of strategies, management plans etc. from other authorities.

GM1140 - Fees and Charges for Fairgrounds and Events in Parks - 150426

A member authority is currently reviewing its fees and charges for activities such as fairgrounds operating within parks and green spaces. They would welcome feedback from other authorities.

⦁ Do member authorities apply a flat daily rate covering the full period on site, or are different rates used for trading days versus set-up and breakdown days?

⦁ Are utilities such as electricity and water typically included within the charge, or billed separately?

⦁ Do authorities require a refundable bond or deposit to cover potential damage, and if so, what level is this set at? Any examples of fee structures or approaches would be greatly appreciated.

GM1139 - Alternative Safer Surfacing for Play Parks - 080426

A member is currently reviewing their options for play park safer surfacing and are keen to hear whether any other members use recycled rubber surfacing (e.g. Nike Grind) within their play parks. If so, what are the pros and cons of such surfacing and what have the experiences been with regards to its longevity and durability? Are there any issues with regards to repairing such safer surfacing e.g. cost implications, long timescales for contractors to obtain such safer surfacing etc?

GM1137 - Parking on Grass Verges -170326

A council would like to know how other authorities manage parking on grass verges. They are interested in the different approaches used across the sector including enforcement powers, physical deterrents and communication with residents. They would welcome brief examples of policies, practical measures, challenges encountered and any lessons learned.

GM1136 - Checks of School Playground Equipment - 160326

A council’s FM service has been approached to start conducting advanced weekly checks of all school playground equipment. For non-education play equipment, this is dealt with by the council’s amenities service. Initial investigation has indicated that this is expected to be an in-depth check of structure, weight, balance, and suitability. The staff are also expected to risk assess and grade all equipment. The authority would like to ask:

⦁ Which department these checks sit in in other authorities?

⦁ Does your authority have designated trained staff for this?

⦁ If you do, do these staff cover education sites?

GM1135 -Managing Assets in Amenity Services - 030326

An authority is looking at using an app-based system to manage assets within Amenities services. This would cover Grounds Maintenance, Public Toilets, Arboriculture, Play Areas and Burial Grounds. The authority would like to hear from any councils currently using an asset management system to manage works, record defects and repairs, and monitor performance (for example through KPIs). Members are also asked whether their systems allow financial information to be captured and reported in real time, to support accurate and up-to-date budget monitoring. Any examples of systems in use or practical experience to share would be appreciated.

GM1134 - Electric-Powered Grounds Maintenance - 040326

A local authority grounds maintenance team is currently trialling a range of electric-powered tools and equipment. The authority would welcome any information on other local authorities’ experiences, including performance, costs, operational benefits or challenges, and lessons learned from transitioning to electric-powered grounds maintenance equipment.

GM1133 - Use of Seasonal Working Hours for Grounds Maintenance Staff - 020326

For a member council, grounds maintenance staff work seasonal hours, with three changes throughout the year to align with operational demand. The council has been asked to review this approach. Is anyone aware of research, data, or benchmarking from other local authorities on the use of seasonal working hours for grounds maintenance (or similar) staff? Any insight into the benefits, challenges or impacts on service delivery and workforce wellbeing would be helpful to inform the decision-making process.

GM1132 - Use of Volunteers for App Inspections - 270226

Does your local authority rely on volunteers to carry out inspections using an app? At a member council, inspections were intended to be undertaken jointly by the Parks and Ward Improvement teams, but this resource is no longer available, and regular inspections are not currently taking place. It would be helpful to hear other local authorities’ experiences of using volunteers for inspections and whether this approach has been effective and sustainable.

GM1130 - Managing Arboricultural Services During Red and Amber Wind Warnings

What actions, processes and policies do you have in place for in-house arborists, during Red and Amber weather warnings for strong winds?

GM1129 - Allotment Society Expenses - 200126

GM1128 - Advertising Grant Funds - 150126

A member council currently has a grant fund available for constituted, not-for-profit local community groups and organisations to support tree planting projects.
 The council would welcome insight from other local authorities on how similar grant schemes have been advertised and promoted, and which approaches have proven most effective in engaging community groups and driving take-up. 

GM1127 - Software for Faults and Playground Inspections - 090126

The council would like to enquire what software packages other local authorities use to record faults, including the ability to photograph and log defects. In addition, it would be helpful to understand which software systems are used specifically for playground inspections and maintenance.
 The council is also interested in knowing whether any authorities use a single system that can manage both general fault reporting and playground inspection/asset management, and, if so, which products are in use and how they are performing in practice.