Shepton Mallet Town Council has made a significant change to the management of its parks and green spaces by bringing its dedicated parks team in-house.

Previously employed by a subcontractor, the three-member team responsible for maintaining the town's green spaces, including the popular Collett Park, will now be direct employees of the Town Council.

This decision marks a strategic move by the Council to foster a more direct working relationship with the team, allowing their expertise to play a crucial role in decision-making for the town's outdoor spaces. The Council also intends to expand the team's responsibilities beyond just the park to encompass the entire town, ensuring a higher standard of care and maintenance across Shepton Mallet.

What's the vision?

The Town Council has outlined a clear vision for its newly established team of Rangers, who will be pivotal in delivering a range of essential services to the community:

• Green Spaces Maintenance: The Rangers will be responsible for maintaining the green spaces owned and managed by the Town Council, including Collett Park, Garston Street Gardens, and Gold Hill Community Woodland.
• Town Centre Cleanliness: Ensuring that high footfall areas around the Market Place and other parts of the Town Centre are kept clean, tidy, and welcoming will be a priority.
• Street Furniture Maintenance: The team will also maintain street furniture and assets such as benches, noticeboards, bins, planters, and railings in the Town Centre and Collett Park.
• Public Toilet Maintenance: Ensuring that public toilets are clean, safe, and maintained to a high standard is another key responsibility.
• Play Areas and Gym Equipment: The Rangers will keep the town's play areas and outdoor gym equipment clean, tidy, and safe for residents to enjoy.

The Town Council Rangers will become key figures within the local community, taking pride in maintaining high standards of care and cleanliness across the town. Each Ranger will have their own area of expertise and responsibility, allowing them to focus on specific assets and ensure they are always well-maintained. The regular maintenance programme delivered by the Rangers will help prevent the town's assets from deteriorating or becoming unsightly.

This in-house team will work closely with Somerset Council operatives to ensure that the town's appearance meets the expectations of its residents.