Parks and green spaces in St Albans will be managed by a new grounds maintenance service for the next ten years.

St Albans City Council has awarded its grounds maintenance service contract to John O’Conner (Grounds Maintenance) Ltd, which began on Saturday, March 1.

At the end of this period there is an option for the council to extend it for a further five years.

The contract will cover the management and maintenance of cemeteries and closed churchyards, land surrounding council-owned housing, council leisure facilities, the Assisted Garden Maintenance Scheme for tenants who have mobility difficulties and tree surveying and countryside rangers.

John O’Conner already provides grounds maintenance services to the council. The company will also  provide services for Harpenden Town Council and Sandridge Parish Council, subject to finalisation of service level agreements.