Council Tax Bombshell

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Ban on common weed killer could create £228 million council tax bombshell

Council Tax Bombshell

Research made available to the Forum has concluded that:

  • A local authority ban on common weed killers used in the professional amenity and garden sectors which contain glyphosate would add £228 million to council tax bills each year
  • This has been calculated as a cost equivalent to current funding for 11,438 adult social care workers
  • The ban could force some UK councils to spend considerable sums in capital outlays to replace conventional spraying systems with alternative approaches

New economic figures unveiled today reveal the cost to the local taxpayer of banning common weed killers to keep pavements, parks and public places weed free.

The figures come at a time when no less than 30 local authorities are being lobbied by some in their communities to ban the same weed killers that are used in amenity areas and gardens throughout the UK.

The research shows that a ban on weed killers containing glyphosate would add £228 million to the UK’s council tax bill each year.

The additional tax requirements for funding the alternatives would require an increase in the average household council tax bill of £7.80 – half the band D rate increase in 2015/16.

Amenity Forum Chairman, Professor John Moverley OBE, commented:

Weed killers are used by local authorities for management of public spaces, including pavements, parks, schools and local authority play areas. The non-chemical alternatives to treating roads and pavements for weeds have a place in an integrated approach to weed management but, as extensive research has shown, cannot currently compete with weed killers in normal day to day operations on economic or effectiveness grounds.

“At a time when Local Authorities are faced with acute budget pressures, it is important that decisions are based upon science and evidence. Nobody working in the professional amenity sector would wish to do anything to endanger public health and safety and always makes use of all options available. Anyweed killer coming to market undertakes rigorous testing before it is released and during its use.

Weed killers used in the amenity sector have been proven time and time again to be safe – no less than 28 independent global regulators and thousands of scientific studies over 40 years back this up. They are used across the diverse and important amenity sector as part of an integrated approach, keeping our railways running, maintaining our world class sports surfaces, for woodlands and much more. This research has just highlighted the costs of keeping pavements weed free. The total amenity cost would be substantially more.

As the voluntary initiative for the sector, we seek to provide an independent voice promoting best practice in all aspects of weed and pest management. We recognize concerns can arise but, in dealing with them, we need a rational debate based upon science and facts. The management of weeds and pests in amenity impacts upon every UK citizen’’

Southend United Groundsman Ken Hare Reaches Settlement With Club

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Southend United Groundsman Ken Hare Reaches Settlement With Club. Prospect (the union that represents football officials, cricket umpires, grounds staff and other sports professionals) has reached a mutually acceptable agreement for Southend United’s groundsman, Ken Hare, whose employment was terminated in January.

Hare was dismissed on 21 January after Southend’s home match against Bolton was postponed because the pitch was frozen.

Hare contacted his professional body, the Institute of Groundsmanship who provided support and advice, and his trade union Prospect.

Prospect national secretary, Alan Leighton, represented Hare in the negotiations with Southend chairman, Ron Martin.

Leighton said: “The negotiations were tough, but conducted in a good and fair spirit with each side acknowledging the other’s position in order to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.

“The nature of the negotiations was typified by the kind offer of two season tickets for Ken as part of the arrangement. Ken gratefully accepted the offer and hopes to see Southend promoted in 2017/18.”

The terms of the agreement are confidential, but Hare said: “I am delighted with the outcome and would like to express my thanks to Prospect, the IOG and the Chairman, Ron Martin, for helping reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.

“Without the support of my union, I would have had difficulty resolving this without incurring the cost and stress of it potentially being determined at an employment tribunal. I would encourage all my grounds staff colleagues to join Prospect and the IOG.”

Leighton added: “This was a hugely important issue for Ken and for grounds staff more generally. Employees in football clubs need the support of an independent friend in the workplace because problems can arise at any time.

“Prospect was able to provide crucial professional advice and representation.”

Leighton paid tribute to Ron Martin for being pro-active and prepared to compromise and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.

Tim Gray for the IOG said: “Ken’s case was a classic example of why the partnership between IOG and Prospect is so important. It shows why grounds staff should be members of both the IOG – for professional advice and development – and of Prospect, for employment advice and representation.”

To read the original article from Prospect, click here

Volunteer Groundsman ‘Sacked’ While Still On The Pitch

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Volunteer Groundsman ‘Sacked’ While Still On The Pitch. A groundsman who has dedicated half of his life to volunteering for Hull City has been left devastated after being unexpectedly ‘sacked’ while on the pitch.

David, 31, started volunteering at Boothferry Park when he was just 15 by offering to tidy up the pitch after every Hull City home game alongside his father and older brothers.

When Hull City moved to the KCOM Stadium in 2002, the family followed, and in the years to come they went on to sort the pitch after midweek and England under-21 matches in

exchange for complimentary match tickets to Tigers games.

However, after starting their work following Saturday’s defeat to Sunderland, the group were unexpectedly ushered away from the stadium and told that they would no longer be needed.

David said: “We were only about 20 minutes in to doing our job when one of the stewards approached us while in communication with the security office above the North Stand.

“We were questioned where we received our match day tickets from and who authorised it.

“We told him that we always used to receive our tickets from the full-time ground staff when we finished doing our job or they would be left at the reception for us to collect before the next game.

“The steward then informed us that his superior told him to inform us that we should stop what we were doing and leave.

“We were utterly shocked. The steward himself has been at the club for as long as we have been doing the pitch and I think he found it very difficult to tell us this news.”

As they headed towards the exit, David was left feeling dejected after what he labelled ‘the end of an era.’

“We’re all very shocked and bitterly disappointed,” he said. “I have been privileged to be a small part of the club for over half of my life and I think this is why I feel so disappointed in losing our role and especially in the manner that we were told.

“We were all loyal supporters before we gained the position on the pitch, so to be able to enter the sacred playing surface of Boothferry Park, an award-winning pitch I recall, was absolutely amazing and it felt so special.

“When we moved to the KC Stadium that too was an awe-inspiring situation. To walk out on to the pitch of a brand new, state of the art stadium was a pure privilege and it was an honour to be trusted to maintain the high standards required by the full time groundsmen.

“I feel very disappointed by the decision to sack us and given no notice too, it feels as though the years count for nothing.

“We know it was always a privileged position to be able to do the role, and for so long, but it doesn’t mean it’s not upsetting to suddenly have it taken away from you.”

The Superstadium Management Company (SMC) has been contacted for a comment.

To read the original article, click here

London Stadium Set For ‘Festival Of Cricket’ Weekend

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London Stadium set for ‘festival of cricket’ weekend at 2019 World Cup…

• England v Australia and India v Pakistan are games under consideration
• Proposals to be discussed by World Cup organising committee on 11 May

The London Stadium is moving closer to hosting two matches over a weekend in the 2019 World Cup, creating what the England and Wales Cricket Board hopes will be a record-breaking festival of cricket.

The organisers of the World Cup would like the London Stadium to host one day-night match on a Friday, and then a day game on a Sunday. Should the plans be ratified, England and India seem certain to play a game each. The probable fixtures would be England playing Australia, perhaps on the Friday under floodlights, and India playing Pakistan.

Given the capacity for cricket is believed to be 60,000, the crowd for the India-Pakistan match would be the highest for a game between the two countries outside the subcontinent.

laying two matches at the London Stadium over a weekend would reduce operating costs and increase the visibility of the games.

The World Cup organising committee will meet to discuss the use of the stadium on 11 May and hopes to confirm its decision in mid-July, once it has seen how quickly the venue adapts to athletics after its first season being used by West Ham. The window in which the venue could host cricket is believed to be only a week.

While it had been thought the London Stadium could host Essex T20 matches next summer, this now appears unlikely. The World Cup matches would be the ground’s first cricket games.

The organising committee has found the size of the boundary complies with the International Cricket Council’s minimum requirements. The games would use drop-in pitches for the first time in international cricket in England, though questions remain over whether the outfield would meet World Cup standards, and over the costs of adjusting the stadium to host cricket. The ICC has yet to inspect the ground but is understood to be keen on the concept.

he ECB is conscious the total attendance for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand topped one million and aspires to get as close to this figure as possible. Using the London Stadium for two matches would increase net capacity for games at the tournament to around 900,000.

All matches for the World Cup have already been allocated but the organising committee would compensate grounds that give up matches, guaranteeing the same financial benefits as if they had hosted an extra game. The Oval, which has been awarded five games, is likely to lose one match, though Surrey would be relaxed about the prospect.

Should the World Cup matches be successful it increases the likelihood of the London Stadium being involved in hosting games in the new city-based T20 tournament if it coincides with the venue being available to stage cricket.

To read the original article, click here

Daniel Madsen Wins Trip to Wembley with Jacobsen

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daniel-madsenIpswich, Suffolk (November 17, 2016) Daniel Madsen is the latest winner of the Jacobsen New Groundsman of the Year award. Turf equipment manufacturer Jacobsen and local dealer Svenningsens co-sponsored the prize that included a trip to work alongside the groundsmen at St. George’s Park, England’s national team training facility, and a tour of Wembley Stadium with Head Groundsman Karl Standley.

Daniel is the grounds manager at Telia PARKEN Stadium, the home of F.C. Copenhagen and the Danish national football team. Having grown up as an F.C. Copenhagen fan, Daniel has now spent 10 years at the club that is regarded as the most successful club in the history of Danish football. Daniel has played a crucial role in preparing the pitch for every game played at the stadium which includes Champions League fixtures, the most recent being the visit of the reigning Premier League champions, Leicester City F.C.

The Groundsman Association Denmark (GDA) nominated Daniel for the award as a result of the pitch being voted as “Denmark’s best pitch” two years in a row. This accolade is achieved by the captain of the opposing team rating the pitch from 1-5, with the highest ranking pitch at the end of the season winning the award. Commenting on being nominated, and winning the Jacobsen New Groundsman of the Year award, Daniel said:
“It was a huge privilege to just be nominated for the award. My peers are the ones who voted for me to win, so it really means a lot to me that my work has been recognised in this way. I have to also acknowledge the work of my team. There are only three of us, and between us, we maintain the training ground and the stadium, so there is a lot of work to do! The stadium is multi-use so as well as preparing the pitch for football, we also have to prepare for concerts and other sporting events, which comes with its own challenges.

“I hope to be able to continue the good work in the years to come. I am particularly looking forward to the challenge of preparing the pitch for the 2020 European Championships, which marks the 50th anniversary of the competition. Telia PARKEN Stadium will host three group games and one round of 16 game. I hope to be able to make it to Wembley for the final once my work is done!”

Commenting on the prize of working alongside F.A. Head Groundsman Alan Ferguson and his team at St. George’s Park and the trip to Wembley Stadium, Daniel said:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in England. I have been blown away at the size of St. George’s Park, and I have also been surprised how open it is to the wider community. For example, I have been told that Burton Albion train here every day and I have seen the Australian national rugby league team here as well. It’s fantastic to see a world-class facility that is so versatile and well-used.

“My trip to Wembley was also a great experience. Wembley is the Mecca of football and it was exciting to be able to stand on the pitch and go behind-the-scenes of a place which has hosted so many memorable sporting moments. I would like to thank Jacobsen for making the experience possible; I have learnt a lot which I hope to be able to take back with me to Copenhagen.”

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