Lands cape & Ame ni t y
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Product News 03 November 2019 03 Special Feature
w w w . l a n d s c a p e a n d a m e n i t y. c o m
Professional Groundscare supplement
New amenity standard set to be a game changer for the industry At the 2019 Amenity Forum conference and exhibition, the new Amenity Standard was introduced, prior to its full formal launch from the beginning of 2020.
and whether using chemical or non-chemical methods, such operations are undertaken by competent, trained personnel following well designed and managed plans.
The Standard is akin to the Red Tractor in food and agriculture. Those operating to the Standard and displaying its logo will demonstrate their adherence to recognised assured standards in all tasks undertaken.
The Amenity Standard is a bespoke quality management standard that has been developed, as a partnership, by all sides of the amenity sector. Those operating to the Standard will be committed to an integrated approach to amenity management and to the highest professional standards.
There is much greater public and political interest related to weed, pest and disease management, especially linked to chemical use. The reasons why chemicals need to be used, as part of a fully integrated approach, in seeking to provide safe, healthy amenity spaces and sports surfaces, is not always clear to the public and stakeholders. The wider public users of amenity spaces need to have clear assurances that all those involved in creating and maintaining safe, healthy sports grounds and other amenity spaces, operate at the highest professional standards;
They will be members of an approved assurance scheme recognised by the Standard. The cost of operating the Standard is covered by fees from providers of these recognised assurance schemes and there will be no extra cost to individual organisations.
In turn, the scheme operators audit their members and approved organisations to assure that they are meeting the requirements of the Amenity Standard. At its launch, three Assurance Schemes are to be recognised by the Standard – the Property Care Association Scheme for Invasive Weed Management and two schemes offered by BASIS Registration, Lawn Assured and Amenity Assured. The aim is for more schemes to be recognised as the Standard develops so that all sectors of amenity are covered.
However, if this step is not taken, the great progress made to date in increasing the recognition of the professionalism within the amenity sector may be threatened. It will not always be easy, but it is the right step, at the right time.
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Amenity Forum
The Amenity Standard will be operated by the Amenity Forum who will maintain, review and regularly update matters as required. They will audit each scheme operator to quality assure that they are operating to agreed standards.
The range is available in a choice of three styles of steel support with complementary timber seat slat profiles and optional add-on backrests, armrest and
The Amenity Standard is designed to:
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The ultimate in modular street furniture design Designed by Furnitubes’ design team, RailRoad is an increasingly popular modular seating range that includes straight and curved units, in three different sizes.
The need to move quickly on this is recognised by the sector. Clearly embedding the Amenity Standard will need time; it is not a quick fix. Its introduction will need to be accompanied by a communication strategy both externally and internally.
tablet surfaces - allowing truly customisable seating from standard components. Furnitubes
RailRoad is available as conventional independent seating forms, but combining modules for longer continuous seating runs is a unique feature of the range. Linking common modules gives geometric layouts, such as full or part circles and wave shapes with curved units. Mixing straight and curved modules of different sizes offers endless configuration possibilities.
Provide an industry benchmark Provide a basis for continuous improvement Focus on quality as an objective Provide assurances about the quality of the approved organisation and maintenance of the amenity space Ensure that quality assurance scheme operators recognised under this Standard use auditors with technical knowledge and experience of the sector concerned Promote confidence in organisations operating and providing resources in the amenity sector by provision of a robust and transparent standard.
Government confirms new funding for pocket parks Reflecting on the benefits that parks and green spaces bring to local life, the government has confirmed further new funding for another round of the pocket parks programme, helping communities transform unloved, neglected or derelict urban areas into new green spaces.
community activities.This is part of the government’s ambition to ensure that communities have a real sense of identity and place, and that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy green spaces nearby. An additional £1.35 million has been made available for local communities.
Reimagined spaces will be used for everything from children’s play areas, to vegetable patches and community events, benefiting the mental and physical health of people who use them.
It follows an initial £3.7 million fund was created for new pocket parks and to allow the refurbishment of existing parks. Winners were announced in March 2019 with over 150 communities right across the country receiving funding.
Funded projects will be led by community groups, in partnership with local authorities, to refurbish parks and encourage
Parks Alliance
Hard Landscaping & Aggregates Spotlight on the latest product developments
Page 8
Grass Seeds & Wildflowers Different solutions for different projects
Page 12
Machinery Case studies & product news
Pages 29-30
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