Garden maintenance scheme
Grass cutting and hedge cutting service for elderly and disabled council tenants who have no one to help with the garden.
We provide the service over the summer months.
How do I join the scheme?
Please note that South Ayrshire Council are not accepting any new applications for the Garden Maintenance Scheme as the final Cycle finishes on 20th September 2024.
Any applications received after this date will not be processed until early 2025. If you wish to apply, please return to this page after 31st January 2025.
If you are unable to apply online a paper copy of the Garden Maintenance Form can be downloaded below, please complete and return to your local office:
Ayr Application Form (Word doc, 84 KB)
Carrick Application Form (Word doc, 83 KB)
Kyle Application Form (Word doc, 84 KB)
Eligibility
To join the scheme you must be of pensionable age and in receipt of state pension or disabled and in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, Mobility Element (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance for physical/mobility health issues (ESA) or have a limited capability for work element within your Universal Credit award for physical/mobility health issues and have no other adult at home who can help with the garden.
You must provide original proofs of
- proofs of state pension claim
- any documents for PIP/ESA/Universal Credit (limited capability for work element).
We will write to you shortly afterwards to tell you if you can join the scheme.
How much does the service cost?
The council does not make a charge to qualifying tenants for this service.
Existing non-council tenants will be issued with an invoice for payment when the scheme commences in early April.
The council is no longer able to accept new applications to the scheme from non-council tenants.
What work will be done in my garden?
The gardener will cut the grass with a petrol lawnmower and tidy the edges of the lawn with a petrol strimmer. The gardener will not do any other work on the lawn or flower beds.
Where a first cut and tidy is required by the gardeners this will incur an additional charge.
All tenants have the responsibility to bring the garden up to an acceptable standard before the scheme commences.
The gardeners will not carry out work on the garden if there is animal excrement present. Please note that if problems in relation to animal excrement persist then your place on the scheme may be reconsidered.
Hedges are cut twice each year, once in May/June and again in September. Due to health and safety of our gardeners, hedges above 5 feet in height require to be reduced to this height by the tenant. If you are not able to do so, this can be arranged but you will be charged for this work.
How often will my garden be done?
The gardeners will come and cut your grass every 4 weeks. The service starts at the end of March and runs until the end of September so you will get 7 visits.
| Form | To | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | 25th March | 19th April | 4 weeks |
| Cycle 2 | 22nd April | 10th May | 3 weeks |
| Cycle 3 | 13th May | 7th June | 4 weeks |
| Cycle 4 | 10th June | 5th July | 4 weeks |
| Cycle 5 | 8th July | 2nd August | 4 weeks |
| Cycle 6 | 5th August | 23rd August | 3 weeks |
| Cycle 7 | 26th August | 20th September | 4 weeks |
Please note that this is an approximate timescale and can change depending on weather, equipment and squad sizes for the year.
Twice a year the gardeners will cut your hedge; this is usually done in June/July and September. The gardeners will only cut this year's growth but will collect all the clippings and take them away.
What happens if I have missed the start of the scheme?
We will pass your name and address to the gardeners who will usually put your name on the list for the next round of visits. In some areas, if you apply late, the gardeners may not be able to accommodate this.
If you have missed the start of the scheme your grass may be that bit longer when it gets its first cut. It is difficult to get a perfect cut when the grass is longer, but if you have problems after the second cut, please contact us.
The gardeners cover all of South Ayrshire. Each team has numerous gardens on its list. When you join the scheme your address is added to the list and the gardener does your garden when next in the street or local area. So, depending on when you join, you could wait up to three weeks for your first visit
Who do I contact if I have a problem?
If you have any problems with the gardeners or any questions about the service you can contact us by calling 0300 123 0900.
Contact
By post
South Ayrshire Council
Garden Maintenance Scheme
Housing Management Team
Riverside House
21 River Terrace
Ayr
KA8 0AU
By email
Email:
- Ayr, email AHMT@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Prestwick, email KyleHousingManagement@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Troon, email KyleHousingManagement@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Maybole, email CarrickHousingManagement@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Girvan, email CarrickHousingManagement@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
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