Oxford City Council Parks & Open Spaces Service Delivery

Client: Oxford City Council

Contract Value: approx. £3.5m per annum
Contract Duration: 25-year strategic partnership (ODS currently 8 years into the contract)
Contract Location: City of Oxford

Summary:

ODS was appointed by Oxford City Council to deliver an integrated Parks & Open Spaces service across the city. This long-term strategic contract combines traditional grounds maintenance and landscaping activities with specialist environmental stewardship, community-facing services and high-profile sports facility management.

The service covers all areas of public open space within Oxford city boundaries, including parks, verges, housing land, play areas, countryside sites, sports pitches, ancillary buildings and specialist ecological sites.

Requirements:

Under this contract, ODS delivers a wide range of services including:

• Grounds Maintenance – grass cutting, verge maintenance, pruning, weed control and horticultural care across parks, highways and housing land.

• Garden Maintenance Scheme – supporting vulnerable residents where self-maintenance is not possible, delivered by DBS-checked operatives.

• Fine Turf & Sports Facilities – planned maintenance of pitches, annual renovation programmes, marking and sports surface standards.

• Play Areas – management of 103 play areas including inspections, repairs, replacements and installation of new equipment.

• Countryside Management – stewardship of 36 countryside sites, including 7 SSSI locations, with biodiversity management and livestock control on historic Port Meadow.

• Tree Management – full tree stock surveys, risk assessments and planned works.

• Hard Landscaping & Infrastructure – furniture, paths, hard surfaces, weed control and overall site presentation.

Challenges:

• Working safely in busy public parks used by children, elderly residents and dog walkers.

• Restricted access across historic and high-density urban sites.

• Seasonal growth fluctuations and changing weather patterns affecting scheduling.

• Managing public expectations around maintenance methods (e.g. hedge flailing vs. hand cutting).

• Safeguarding considerations when working with vulnerable residents.

Solutions:

ODS has addressed operational challenges through robust health and safety procedures, including dynamic risk assessments, site segregation and trained banksmen. Appropriately sized machinery is deployed to suit restricted access areas, while flexible, seasonally responsive programming and proactive resource planning ensure consistent service delivery. DBS-checked operatives and safeguarding awareness underpin the Garden Maintenance Scheme.

Strong client engagement ensures transparency and effective partnership working. ODS holds weekly operational meetings with the City Council Green Space Officer, monthly short client review meetings and quarterly long strategic meetings. KPIs are produced monthly to monitor quality, response times and safety, and quotes for any works outside the contract specification are requested and provided promptly, supporting timely decision-making and service continuity.

Outcome:

The service consistently achieves high presentation standards across Oxford’s parks and open spaces. Sports pitches and play areas are safe, compliant and well-maintained, while countryside and SSSI sites benefit from effective biodiversity management. Tree stock is proactively monitored and managed to minimise risk.

A dedicated team of 45 operational staff, including 3 tractor drivers, deliver these services, supported by a range of machinery including ride-on mowers, strimmers, and hand tools, ensuring high-quality, efficient operations across all sites. This approach has strengthened a long-term, transparent partnership with the Council, delivering a resilient, integrated service aligned with community, environmental, and safety objectives.