Colchester City Council is exploring a new way to deliver grounds maintenance services, as part of its wider Fit for the Future transformation programme. A report will be discussed at Cabinet on 22 October 2025, setting out options for how the service could be run once its current contract with idverde ends in 2026.
The Fit for the Future programme aims to reduce operating costs by 25% over three years by modernising services, generating income, and identifying savings to help the Council respond to rising demand and reduced funding.
The report, which has already been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Council’s Scrutiny Panel, proposes that the service be delivered by Amphora, the Council’s own trading company. This option is considered the most cost-effective and would help maintain service quality despite financial pressures.
If approved, the new model would:
The Fit for the Future programme aims to reduce operating costs by 25% over three years by modernising services, generating income, and identifying savings to help the Council respond to rising demand and reduced funding.
The report, which has already been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Council’s Scrutiny Panel, proposes that the service be delivered by Amphora, the Council’s own trading company. This option is considered the most cost-effective and would help maintain service quality despite financial pressures.
If approved, the new model would:
- Keep services within budget (around £1.9 million)
- Avoid a potential 22% cost increase from outsourcing
- Support environmental goals like rewilding and biodiversity
- Improve flexibility and community involvement
- Help maintain Colchester’s parks and open spaces, which are vital for health, wellbeing, and tourism
The full report is available in the Cabinet agenda papers on the Council’s website. If Cabinet approves the recommendation, work will begin to prepare for the service to be delivered by Amphora from 1 November 2026.
Page last reviewed: 14 October 2025