18 Dec 2008 by GeoffP Last edited 18 Dec 2008
Hello all,
The cricket club where I am a volunteer groundsman agreed last season to take over maintenance of the ground from the Parish Council (previously I only looked after the square) cutting, hand mowing, strimming, weed control etc. I have a couple of helpers and everything is going ok.
On my way home from work today I noticed the PC contractor, who cuts all the hedges in the village, had been onto the ground with a tractor & side arm mower, and cut the hedge. What a mess, ruts from the Agric tyres 4 inches deep all down one side of the outfield. Matters were made worse because of a burst water main only a 2 days ago.
My question is, how should I approach this issue bearing in mind some parish councillors are on the cricket committee & vice-versa?
I don't feel the CC should have to put right someone elses incompitance!
Cheers
Geoff
Geoff,
i would go along the lines of " the tractor operator who cut the hedges was perhaps not aware of the local conditions ,exacerbated by a recently burst water main that he might not be aware of, has left tyre ruts"
Any chance of some help making good the area.
Don't use the word incompetence, that man might be coming back to carry out the work.
I would take some photos, as in my experience most councillors don't visit the sites they control and put it in writing so it can be discussed at their next committee meeting as an agenda item. Then attend the meeting so you can put your concerns across, so at least it doesn't happen again next year.
If you get on with the head PC groundsman try to get him on your side. They may have spare soil in the cemetery piling up or elsewhere, no harm in asking.
My first question would be:
If you're in charge of the maintenance of the ground (even as a volunteer) what the hell was someone else doing on it with a tractor without your knowledge.
At least it's not the begining of summer so you've a chance of putting it right.
higgins: if it was me then over my dead body would that man be coming back to put it right. If he's thoughtless enough to put agri tires over a sports surface (in the current weather) then I wouldn't want him doing anything.
Having said that though, he may be quite competent. He'll be following what is laid down in the contract - which I'd bet doesn't say anything about the type of tires to use or what ground conditions should be like before proceeding.
Personally I'd buy the guys on the committee a beer then show them what's happened, if the PC are to help at all then you'll need them on your side.
When discussing it with them, remember that you're discussing a H&S issue. With ruts like you're describing your own (or the clubs') risk assessment should deem the ground unfit for purpose (possibly even dangerous). Make sure you do this risk assessment, it'll be an important document to show that it is a serious problem.
I'd be surprised if they're not willing to help. I assume they're leasing the ground to the CC (or charging you rent) in which case they've possibly got a legal obligation to put right damage caused by a contractor working on their behalf.
For certain make sure you've taken plenty of photo's of the damage.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
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