Council tree squad overmanned?

[Mike Dempsey]

Just passed the local council tree squad a couple of days ago chipping up a few branches in the primary school next to my house. There were seven of them operating it (or rather standing around it). It has taken them a full week to trim a few branches of some trees in the grounds and so far about 4 days to chip them.

Is this a record for the most expensive job that one man, a saw and chipper could do in an afternoon or if he slowed down a bit, stretched it out to a full day?

[HCR]

Yes, but at least no one is making a profit from it so all is well with the world.

[Le Sanglier]

I watched the council out here pollard 6 limes 4 blokes, hired chipper, mewp, hired tipper. 4 days, estimated cost €5000, We could have done it in two days, max cost €1500. Don't forget it's us that pay!

[difflock]

Probably, such behavouir is unfortunately endemic in Local Government:blushing:

I could easily say too much.

So I will desist.

But I remain at heart, despite 30 years local Government Service, a deeply fustrated, working farmers son.

The good cannot be rewarded for their productive efforts and generally move on to other jobs, so who remains?

There are however, a number of diligent hardworking staff among the mix, but not enough of them at any level , plus handicapped by flawed short term decisions made for political purposes by the Council.

Dozens of honest to God made up jobs too, some of them staffed by the lovelist people. But still, nonetheless, made up jobs burning scarce budgets and resources.

Regards,

Marcus

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Just passed the local council tree squad a couple of days ago chipping up a few branches in the primary school next to my house. There were seven of them operating it (or rather standing around it). It has taken them a full week to trim a few branches of some trees in the grounds and so far about 4 days to chip them.

Is this a record for the most expensive job that one man, a saw and chipper could do in an afternoon or if he slowed down a bit, stretched it out to a full day?

 

There's been much in the press recently about how 10% of the national workforce are "under-employed"...maybe this is an example of one of life's balances?

 

Paul

[Dan Earp]

Plus a squad is 8 men so they too are under manned lol

;p

 

But do see your view, and not all are as slack. The news spreads quicker when you see the likes the ones uve seen, and has a longer lasting impression.

Shame though

[nz paul]

Think you'll find a lot of them are gardeners with saw tickets.I worked for a council in Scotland in a arb squad of about 8 guys.Pretty small area to look after but it's amazing how under staffed we were at times,plus half the guys couldn't climb very well.We did a lot of private work,although was through word of mouth not advertised.Sure there were plenty of jobs where we had to many guys,but it just gets passed up the chain.

[Yorkshireman]

Heres someones take on Britain Today

[blazer]

Often seen tailgate sticker - 'well driven?' how about 'well managed?'

 

I know of one city council who wanting to be flexible about trucks, to be more 'efficeint' but really mean all trucks have to be unloaded every night and reloaded in the morning with anybody using any saw = they are all blunt as who is going to sharpen one for the next day when you will get issued a blunt one. So every morning at least 1 hour is lost sorting out gear into trucks.

 

it's not the guys, I used to work for the NHS - don't get me started:confused1:

[Amelanchier]

Heres someones take on Britain Today

 

One of them should have been an arboriculturalist...