Mayor and Deputy Shine a Light on the Town Council’s Outdoor Works Team

The team responsible for keeping Hailsham’s parks, play areas, community facilities and green spaces maintained throughout the year has been recognised by the Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

As we approach the end of another very busy summer season for the Town Council’s outdoor works team, Town Mayor Cllr Chris Bryant and Deputy Mayor Cllr Colin Mitchell have recognised the wide range of work carried out by maintenance staff across the town throughout the year.

From grass cutting and grounds maintenance to building repairs, safety inspections, cemetery management and event support, the team plays an important role in maintaining the Council’s parks, recreation grounds, play areas, community buildings and other public spaces.

Much of this work takes place behind the scenes, but it has a direct impact on the appearance, safety and accessibility of facilities used by residents and visitors every day.

The Outdoor Works Team includes a Works Manager, three maintenance operatives, a Cemetery Superintendent, an Environment Warden and a Pond Warden. Together, they cover a diverse range of responsibilities across the Council’s assets and open spaces.

Recent work has included improvements at Hailsham Cemetery, including the refurbishment of the public toilet, a new waiting room and a pet ashes burial ground. The team has also carried out upgrades and maintenance at James West Community Centre, while continuing to look after the town’s five play areas, two outdoor gyms and numerous public green spaces.

The team also provides practical support for many of Hailsham’s community events and civic occasions, including remembrance ceremonies, street markets, Sussex Day and the town’s Christmas celebrations.

Town Mayor Cllr Chris Bryant said: “The work carried out by our Outdoor Works Team is absolutely central to maintaining the facilities and public spaces that people across Hailsham use every day. From our parks and recreation grounds to our community centres and cemetery, there is a huge amount of work involved in keeping these places safe, clean, functional and welcoming.”

“What makes their role particularly interesting is the sheer variety of work involved. Their responsibilities range from routine grounds maintenance and grass cutting to building repairs, safety checks and improvements to Council facilities. They are also regularly called upon to support community events, respond to unexpected problems and deal with urgent repairs when something goes wrong.”

“A lot of this work happens behind the scenes and can easily go unnoticed, but it has a very visible impact on the town. Residents expect our facilities and public spaces to be properly maintained, and the team works throughout the year, in all seasons and in all kinds of weather, to make sure they are.”

“I would also like to give particular thanks to Operations and Facilities Manager Tony Lee, who heads up the department and does a considerable amount of work to oversee and coordinate everything that takes place. Tony, along with Works Manager Richard Gillett, has responsibility for a broad range of Council operations, helping to ensure that the team is organised, responsive and able to deal with the many different demands placed upon them.”

Deputy Town Mayor, Colin Mitchell added: “The projects delivered by the outdoor works team over the past year demonstrate the breadth of their contribution, from improvements at Hailsham Cemetery and James West Community Centre to the ongoing maintenance of our play areas, outdoor gyms and green spaces. Alongside this, they continue to support the many community events and activities taking place across the town.”

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Tony, Richard and every member of the Outdoor Works Team for their hard work, professionalism and commitment. They all play an important role in helping to keep Hailsham’s facilities and public spaces safe, attractive and available for the community, and I am very pleased that we are able to recognise their contribution.”

Operations and Facilities Manager, Tony Lee commented: “There is a huge amount of work that goes into maintaining the Council’s facilities and public spaces, and no two days are quite the same. The team has to balance planned maintenance and ongoing projects with the day-to-day issues that inevitably arise across such a wide range of sites.”

“I am very proud of the way the Outdoor Works Team approaches its work. Everyone has an important role to play, whether that is looking after our grounds and play areas, carrying out repairs and improvements, maintaining the cemetery or monitoring the Common Pond.”

“We also work closely with colleagues across the Town Council to support events and activities throughout the year, often working to tight timescales to make sure venues and public spaces are ready for the community.”

“My role is to oversee the department and make sure we have the right priorities in place, but it is the commitment and flexibility of the team that enables us to deliver what is needed. I would like to thank all of them for the work they put in throughout the year and for the pride they take in maintaining Hailsham’s facilities and public spaces.”