Grounds maintenance update – 9 July 2026
Our Grounds Maintenance colleagues will be working outdoors in the hot weather so working patterns may need to be adjusted.
The safety and wellbeing of our teams means that we may need to adjust working patterns during the day to manage the effects of high temperatures and direct sunlight.
During hotter conditions our colleagues may take more frequent rest breaks, seek shade, drink additional water, and vary the timing or order of tasks where needed. This is in line with safe working practice for outdoor workers, particularly where tasks involve physical activity, equipment use, or prolonged exposure to the sun.
We are also receiving a high level of queries about the need to prune hedges because of the increased growth rate.
Our teams are focusing their time on completing hedge pruning and associated grounds maintenance works over the next few weeks, in line with our agreed specification. Work will be prioritised and scheduled to make best use of available resources while ensuring operatives continue to work safely during the hot weather period.
If there is an urgent safety concern, such as vegetation blocking access, creating a visibility issue, or presenting an immediate hazard, please report this to us using our online grounds maintenance form.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation while we manage both the seasonal increase in grounds maintenance demand and the need to keep our operatives safe in hot weather.
Heat and your health
Whilst a sunny day is always welcome, prolonged periods of heat put extra stress on your body and cause you to lose fluids which can lead to a number of health issues from Heat Stroke to Circulatory problems. Being out and about in the sun can cause severe sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. Some tips to keep you safe and cool can be found online:
- Cover up, wear a wide brimmed hat and apply sunscreen regularly
- Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol
- If you live alone or are vulnerable, ask a friend or neighbour to check up on you
- More advice and health tips can be found at:
- For advice about the dangers of open water in hot weather, visit the Fire and Rescue Service’s Water Safety pages.
Helping each other
Many of us will be enjoying the warm weather but for more vulnerable people, this can be a time when their health suffers.
- Check on vulnerable friends and neighbours, especially if they live alone
- Never leave anyone or a pet in the car during the hot weather
- Keep an eye on children around pools and paddling pools
- Additional pressure on water supply systems as people fill pools and take on more water may lead to disruption – check on neighbours to ensure they have enough fluids if you have a water issue
- Check friends and neighbours for the signs of heat stroke
Being a good neighbour
The good weather brings us out into our gardens to enjoy some much-needed social time with our friends and families, but it is important that whilst we have fun, we are safe and consider our neighbours. Outdoor activities can be fun but can impact on other people’s enjoyment:
- If you are having a BBQ, ensure that it is not placed directly or near any plants or flammable surfaces – this includes grassed areas which may be dryer than usual.
- Follow the BBQ safety guide.
- If you live in a scheme with other residents, BBQs are generally not permitted in the communal outdoor areas for safety reasons due to the enclosed nature and impact on vulnerable people. If you have any questions, please contact your scheme manager.
- For other fire safety advice, especially around cooking and barbecues, please visit our Fire Safety page.
Remember that other people will have their windows open, so please consider them and any noise from music or children playing – especially later in the evenings – why not use it as an opportunity to check in your neighbours and see if they are OK in the heat.
