Really hard to ID this Penny, as I can't see any leaves. If it's an evergreen, then I recon it might be box....? If it is, then I think it would reshoot from the base if it's cut right back.

I'd cut it hard back anyway !
If it's only producing foliage near the top it clearly needs attention ;-)

Agree.

its not a privet is it? left unpruned they make a sprawling shrub too.

If you have a gardener then ask him/her what it is and what he/she should be doing to it... If they don't know you might want to ask yourself if you need this gardener.

Moongrower, its an ever-ending battle with the gardeners. Problem is although we have large mature gardens there are 31 other flats and most of the neighbours could not care less. When I complain to our factor all I get from him is "well no-one else complains". I have lettered everyone but only 2 responded so I'm on to plums. The gardeners get away with doing as little as they can for their 3 grand a year. So I've decided to deal with the areas that surround my flat.

Looks like a knackered Escallonia to me though hard to be too positive about the id from this distance. Leaves attached to stem would help.

Are those small yellow flowers I see in the picture because if they are this looks like a Forsythia. Forsythias have yellow flowersin ealy spring and flower before the foliage appears and they flower on last years growth so prune back hard in late spring after flowering for a great display next year.

I will post another close up photo in a wee while.

Whatever it is, its pretty ugly anyway - if it looks like that for six months of the year, I'd have it out and put something better looking in there, Penny, but that's just me, I guess, lol

The shape of those stems looks like a Lavatera to me......could have been pruned or snapped off after flowering as they are a fast growing rangy shrub which can easily get out of hand.

I agree with Bamboo - out with it and replace with something better looking!