Garden Maintenance Scheme

What is the Council Persons Garden Maintenance Scheme?

The Garden Maintenance Scheme is a service provided to Council tenants who meet the qualifying criteria. The aim of the scheme is to provide a grass and hedge cutting service, as well as weeding, for a small weekly fee for tenants who are unable to maintain their gardens.

Who can we help?

You can apply if you are a council tenant and you and your partner receive a state retirement pension (Old Age Pension). We are also able to help if you are under pensionable age but only if you are registered as physically disabled with Northumberland County Council.

You will not qualify for this scheme if you have relatives living in the Berwick Borough area who are able to assist you. We would make an exception if your relatives are disabled. You will need to provide us with proof of their disability.

What does the scheme include?

 You can choose to have selected areas of your garden maintained and/or hedge (see below under how much does it cost).

Your grass will be cut every three weeks.*

Your hedges will be cut once per year at the end of the growing season.

Growing Season begins at the end of April and runs through to October.

*Weather permitting.

How much does it cost?

2005/2006

• Grass cutting & 1 area of garden £1.45 per week
• Grass cutting & 2 areas of garden £2.20 per week
• Grass cutting & 3 areas of garden £2.80 per week
• Hedge cutting £0.30 per week
• Grass cutting & 1 area plus hedge £1.75 per week
• Grass cutting & 2 areas plus hedge £2.50 per week
• Grass cutting & 3 areas plus hedge £3.10 per week
• Grass cutting only (price may vary slightly dependingon size) £1.05 per week for standard garden

How do I pay?

Your weekly garden charge becomes an element of your rent so you pay the above amount that applies to you with your rent, payable over the year (52 weeks).

How do I apply?

 If you feel that you would qualify for the scheme please download and complete the application form. Complete and return the form to the address shown on the form. We will assess your application and write to you confirming if you have been accepted on the waiting list or not.

If you are under 60 years of age and want to go on the waiting list please provide supporting evidence of disability, e.g. a letter from your doctor.

Or if you would like to talk to someone about the garden scheme please telephone Miss Caz Prentice on 01289 301836.

Should you wish for a specific task to be carried out e.g. pruning of bushes or trees please call Miss Caz Prentice on the above number to check if this is feasible.

Waiting list

 We only have the capacity to maintain 70 gardens so unfortunately there is a waiting list. The next available garden scheme place is allocated by time spent on the waiting list.

If someone is fit and able

Our garden scheme helps a lot of people and gives them peace of mind. We therefore ask you do not apply to go on the scheme if you, a member of your family or a friend are able to maintain your garden.