Gardeners Lower Morden Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Gardeners Lower Morden in respect of the financial year ending 31 March and sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. Gardeners Lower Morden is committed to conducting all activities ethically and responsibly, and to respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals who contribute to our services.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Gardeners Lower Morden maintains a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation in any form. We recognise that modern slavery is a serious crime and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. We expect the same high standards from all those we work with, including employees, contractors, agency workers, and suppliers.

Our zero-tolerance policy means that any suspected instance of modern slavery will be treated as a serious misconduct matter. Where appropriate, we will take immediate action, which may include termination of contracts, reporting concerns to relevant authorities, and cooperating fully with any investigation.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Gardeners Lower Morden provides gardening and grounds maintenance services. Our operations rely on a range of suppliers and contractors, including providers of plants, materials, tools, equipment, uniforms, waste management services, and occasional specialist labour. We recognise that risks of modern slavery can arise at different points in these supply chains, particularly where there are multiple tiers of subcontracting or where goods originate from higher-risk regions.

We are committed to understanding these risks and to working only with partners who share our commitment to ethical and lawful working practices.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We require our key suppliers and contractors to comply with all applicable laws relating to modern slavery, human trafficking, and labour standards. We expect them to ensure that all workers are employed voluntarily, are paid fairly, and work in safe conditions.

To support this, we are implementing a programme of supplier due diligence and audits that includes the following measures. We assess new key suppliers against ethical and labour standards criteria as part of our onboarding process. We review contractual terms to include clear obligations on modern slavery compliance. We reserve the right to carry out audits or request evidence of compliance, such as policies, risk assessments, and training records. Where risks are identified, we expect suppliers to take prompt corrective action and to provide evidence of improvements. If a supplier fails to meet our standards or refuses to take appropriate action, we may suspend or end the relationship.

Training and Awareness

Gardeners Lower Morden is committed to raising awareness of modern slavery risks among our employees and managers. We provide guidance on how to identify signs of exploitation, such as signs of intimidation, restriction of movement, withholding of wages or documents, or evidence of coercion. Training is focused particularly on colleagues involved in procurement, contract management, and supplier engagement, as they are most likely to encounter potential risks.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We encourage anyone who has concerns about modern slavery or unethical labour practices in our business or supply chains to speak up. Concerns can be raised with a line manager or a senior manager within Gardeners Lower Morden. Individuals may also use our internal whistleblowing arrangements, which allow concerns to be raised confidentially and without fear of retaliation.

All reports will be taken seriously and handled sensitively. We will investigate concerns promptly and, where appropriate, involve relevant authorities or external advisers. We are committed to protecting those who raise concerns in good faith from any adverse treatment as a result of reporting.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

Gardeners Lower Morden recognises that tackling modern slavery requires ongoing vigilance and continuous improvement. We will review this Modern Slavery Statement at least once every year to assess the effectiveness of our actions and to identify further steps we can take. This review will consider feedback from employees, supplier performance, audit findings, and any reported incidents or concerns.

As part of our annual review, we will consider whether additional training, revised contractual provisions, or enhanced supplier checks are required. Our aim is to strengthen our systems over time so that the risk of modern slavery in our operations and supply chains is continually reduced.

Approval of this Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement has been approved by the management of Gardeners Lower Morden, who are responsible for ensuring that it is implemented and maintained across the business. It will be updated and published annually to reflect our ongoing commitment to preventing modern slavery and protecting the rights of all workers connected to our activities.