Parish Lengthsman Scheme

A Guide for Parish Councils 2008/2009

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Introduction

The Lengthsman scheme is, in essence, the re-incarnation of an old concept; a local person contracted to maintain roadside verges and drainage, public open space and pathways.

The modern Lengthsman role has now been expanded to tackle small-scale environmental projects directly or jointly with the local community and the partners involved.

While some Parishes in Lancashire have continued to use local Lengthsman, the County Council re-introduced and extended the concept in 1998 as a pilot project in the Forest of Bowland AONB. The 2 pilot projects were successful and because of this initiative, there are now 22 Parish Lengthsman Schemes operating in 46 parishes throughout the County.

Current Schemes

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There are also 4 schemes in the parishes of North Turton, Yate and Pickup Bank, Tockholes and Withnell (West Pennine Moors), which are managed by LCC Countryside Officers Ian Hart and Ken Booth.

The scheme is a joint venture funded by the Parishes involved, Lancashire County Council and where applicable District Councils.

Parish Lengthsman really are making a difference to the parishes they operate in. Apart from the daily routine of litter picking and maintaining village amenities etc, Parish Lengthsman Schemes have also been successful in attracting other funding sources, enabling the parishes involved to carry out small projects and conservation schemes.

The Lengthsman

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Existing projects are sustained and cared for

The Parish Lengthsman is a local person with local knowledge and the skills to carryout the role.

Lengthsman are contracted annually to the Parish Councils involved, with support from the local County Council Countryside Officer.

A clear, legally binding contract is signed, which covers hours, invoices, health and safety and public liability insurance issues.

Lengthsman provide all the necessary tools to carry out their tasks, a suitable vehicle and trailer, together with the necessary public liability insurance. They also maintain accurate records of weekly reports, timesheets
etc and organise materials and equipment to carry out tasks.

Lengthsman are contracted for a set number of hours over a 12 month period @ £11.50 per hour. The number of hours worked depends on the funding package available for any given Parish/Parish Group, but the minimum requirement for all schemes is 15 hrs per week. Regardless of how many hours a Lengthsman works above the minimum requirement, the hourly rate of £11.50 still applies.

There may also be peaks and troughs in demand throughout the year for the Lengthsman time that will dictate the actual weekly hours worked, for example, bad weather, access etc, but the overall annual hours contracted will be met.

 

Recommendations from some of the Parishes involved

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Myerscough Parish Clerk Roy Bassnett:
“It would be good, I think, if you would please tell whoever needs to know these things, that the Bilsborrow, Claughton-on-Brock and Myerscough Pilot Parish Lengthsman Scheme has been a resounding success”

Sabden Parish Clerk A.M.Whitwell:
“The Parish Council cannot stress enough how beneficial the scheme has been over the years. Not only has Sabden benefited from the scheme but also the surrounding areas. We offer our support to the scheme for the forthcoming and future years”

Wiswell Parish Clerk W. Alan Butt:
“I am writing on behalf the Parish Council to express our appreciation of the excellent service which we receive from our Parish Lengthsman. Work varies from the regular collection of litter from the playing field, open spaces etc, to additional grass cutting to keep the Parish looking tidy and cared for. The service is invaluable to the community”

Caton-with-Littledale Parish Clerk R.B.Alexander:
“We have been involved with the scheme from the outset and have seen the benefits it provides for the Parish in terms of tidiness, good level of maintenance, visual presence and rapid response to minor problems. Working with other Parishes and the County has proved to be highly beneficial in providing a quality service”

Penwortham Town Council Steve Caswell:
The service we can provide for the residents of Penwortham, over and above the services already in place from the county and borough council authorities, through the Lengthsman scheme, has meant that Penwortham is now a much cleaner, tidier town. The rapid response that the Lengthsman gives us has helped to stamp out problems before they can be allowed to take root. Penwortham Town Council fully support the Lengthsman scheme, appreciate the help and support of Lancashire County Council and look forward to a positive and fruitful working relationship in the future.

Maintaining Parish Bus Shelters

Benches

Parish Lengthsman Scheme

A Guide for Parish Councils 2008/2009: The Role of the Parish Councils

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Contract Administrator/Budget Holder

The two key people for each Parish Lengthsman Partnership are the Lengthsman and the contract administrator (Parish representative) who administers the package.

The contract administrator is responsible for the Lengthsman budget, timesheets and invoices; Administrator’s fees for this service would be part of the said Parish Councils contribution.

Regular meetings are held with the nominated contract administrator (Parish representative) plus a representative from each Parish involved to agree the work programme for the Lengthsman.

The contract administrator instructs the Lengthsman of the agreed work programme and at the end of each working week, the Lengthsman submits
his timesheet together with his report of tasks carried out and any problems encountered.

*This approach ensures that local concerns are acted upon quickly, often nipping problems in the bud before they become significant and costly issues, and with a quick response time for urgent matters.

At the end of first month the Lengthsman invoices the contract administrator for the hours worked and thereafter submits invoices at regular monthly intervals. Payment is made within 21 days of receiving the invoice.

Materials

Any materials Lengthsmen may require to carry out their tasks e.g. varnish, paint etc, can be obtained from a local builder’s merchants once a small account has been set up.

This has to be approved by all parties involved but schemes already established have found this to be a very efficient way in enabling tasks to be completed on the day.

The Lengthsman will, having obtained any materials, submit receipts/invoices together with his weekly report and timesheet to the contractor administrator.

Lengthsman Duties

The work of the Lengthsman is determined through a partnership between the Parish Representative, County Council and where applicable the District Council.

Below are some examples of the kind of tasks carried out by Parish Lengthsmen to date:

• Litter control/fly-tipping.
• Vegetation clearance
• Basic maintenance to Parish council owned property.
• Parish gardens and other amenity areas improved/maintained.
• Bulb/tree planting and small scale landscaping schemes.
• General repairs to benches, notice boards,
• Maintenance to bus shelters, cleaning etc
• Improvements and maintenance to the Public Rights of Way Network
• Liasing with Parish councils, local community, farmers/landowners, County and District Councils.
• Village Stocks

New Stocks made for Longton Parish Council

Parish Lengthsman Funding

The Parish Councils involved in the current Lengthsman Schemes have either increased their precept or identified funds to participate as a core parish or buy into their local parish Lengthsman project on an hourly basis.

The County Council has to date, taken the lead in developing the Parish Lengthsman Scheme and has made a contribution of £32,000 for this current financial year 2008/9 to expand and also assist the current Parish Lengthsman projects.

In conclusion, the success of this initiative is the employment of a local person, someone from the local community who:

• Has good local knowledge
• Have excellent countryside/conservation skills
• Can react quickly to problems
• Is backed up by support from LCC Countryside staff
• Works through a partnership between Parish, District and County.

There is no further funding available for this financial year 2008/9, funding opportunities from other agencies and the private sector are being explored and
District Councils are being encouraged to support this community-based initiative. However, LCC Countryside Officers can offer help and advice on how to set up a scheme.
If you would like to discuss the scheme in more detail, please contact:

Terry Phelan on 01772 532961
Email: terry.phelan@env.lancscc.gov.uk