Bracknell

A new ethical company called Green Machine could be weeding the gardens of Bracknell Forest, trimming hedges and making the borough blooming marvellous from early next year while providing quality employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is considering setting up the new firm to offer a quality gardening and maintenance service to residents and businesses in the area.

Bracknell Green Machine would be set up as social firm so it would employ people with disabilities - providing them with a genuine work opportunity. However before the Council can give the company the green light it needs to gauge the demand for the service - and so a questionnaire has been set up to see if Green Machine is a service the Bracknell Forest community would use.

If given the go-ahead Green Machine will offer a range of services including grass cutting, weeding, shrub and hedge trimming, pruning and garden clearing at a competitive price.

The reliable service will be headed by a professionally trained landscaper who will oversee a team of employees that have a disability but want to work and gain training.

As it would be a not-for-profit organisation, any profit would be ploughed back into the Bracknell service through training or equipment or to set up other similar ventures.

Glyn Jones, Assistant Director of Community Care, said: This is an innovative idea to not only make the borough look nice but to provide real employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities.”

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, added: If given the go-ahead Green Machine would provide a great service to our community at a competitive rate. It would also offer genuine employment to people with disabilities who wish to make a positive contribution to the community and get training and work-based skills.

"If anyone thinks Green Machine is something they may use or would like more information on then I'd urge them to contact the Council where a host of information on the potential service and ethical gardening is available."

The Green Machine team is keen to hear from residents and businesses wanting to find out more information on the services it will provide and the cost.

A short questionnaire about the service and ethical gardening as well as more information can be found at http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/living/liv-green-machine.htm Interested residents or businesses can also find out more by calling Mark Methven, Community Development Worker, on 01344 352000 or emailing mark.methven@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council