Galway County Council to review grass-cutting contracts in 11 estates to cease outsourcing
A Galway County Councillor has called for directly-hired providers for estate grass cutting in Ballinasloe and cease outsourced contracts.
Poor grass cutting work in 11 estates in Ballinasloe town led Galway County Councillor Alan Harney to put forward a motion asking to cease current contracts.
At the July Municipal District meeting, Cllr Harney pointed to estates such as Fairgreen near Dunlo Hill, where he said there was a “stark contrast” between work carried out by contractors and direct labour crews. He said council staff have been required to collect grass cuttings left behind by contractors, while demand for street-sweeping services has also increased.
“We can’t continue to sustain the situation we have at the moment,” Cllr Harney said, adding that directly hired staff could assist in year-round maintenance.
While the motion did not go to a vote, Galway County Council officials agreed to review the proposal, with a formal response expected when municipal district meetings resume in September.
If contracts were “ceased immediately,” as requested, many junctions would be left unserved as the recruiting process for direct labour would be lengthy, the chamber heard. Therefore, it is “not possible this year,” but could be reviewed for next year.
Additionally, contractual bindings still stand with current service providers which would prohibit an immediate cessation.