Hastings District Council considers outsourcing parks and properties work

The Hastings District Council is considering outsourcing its parks and reserves unit, charged with maintaining the district's parks such as Cornwall Park, pictured, as well as properties. Photo / file

The Hastings District Council is considering whether or not to outsource its parks and property maintenance work, after conducting a review into the effectiveness and efficiency of the current arrangement.

Also known as the Maintenance Group, the business unit has 58 employees who faced uncertainty while the council evaluated the option, but unlikely to make a final decision until September this year.

Council chief financial officer Bruce Allan said a number of steps were being undertaken as part of the process, including full consultation with potentially affected staff and the appropriate unions.

Should the council decide to outsource the work, he said the council would work hard to have current maintenance staff transferred to the external provider taking on the work, with employment conditions the same as their current conditions.

"The outcome must be beneficial to council, ratepayers and staff.

"Council recognises that this process is unsettling and is working with staff to involve them throughout the process."

To date, as well as the formal staff consultation an expression of interest for the work had been released to the market, Allan said.

The next stage would be a request for tender, followed by evaluations.

Investment in the district's parks and reserves was a key consultation item in the recently adopted long term plan, continuing the ongoing programme that had seen the complete rejuvenation of major parks over the past 10 years (Flaxmere Park and Havelock North Village Green) and smaller upgrades of community playgrounds.

Over the next four years the plan was to carry out a major upgrade of Cornwall Park and improvements to seven other parks and reserves.

Money had also been set aside to assist with the funding of a canoe polo facility at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park.