Plans to reduce grass cutting in public spaces have been put on hold.
Kirklees Council’s cabinet may have to reconsider its policy on mowing after its decision to reduce the service was criticised by a scrutiny panel.
The panel recommended the policy be reconsidered, citing an ‘inadequate’ public consultation and ‘insufficient’ financial information. Public spaces were to be graded ‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’ according to how often they would be mowed. Grass on spaces graded ‘natural’ would no longer be cut.
The policy, made in light of Government cuts to the council’s budget, was expected to save £702,000 over two years.
Kirklees Council currently manages 5,900 sites covering 13million square metres.
Opponents of the policy, including opposition councillors, said the policy had been made behind closed doors and would lead to the loss of valued public space.
Grahame Heap, who represented neighbours of Goldington Avenue Rec in Oakes, said: “To let it drift into a wilderness would be a travesty.”
The area had been graded ‘natural’.
Former Kirklees Council gardener Peter Fawcett added: “If it goes to ‘tattyville’ businesses will be affected.
“If you do this you will bring the parks department to its knees.”
Council leader David Sheard said information had been made available since late 2014 – but no opposition councillors had contacted him with concerns.
The Labour member added the Lib Dem and Conservative decision to refer the matter to a scrutiny panel had been ‘misguided and a total waste of time’.
Scrutiny panel chair Julie Stewart-Turner, however, recommended the issue be referred back to the cabinet.
Clr Stewart-Turner said: “There was insufficient financial information, particularly regarding the decision to devolve the flexibility to change service standards to district committees.
“The committee found that while there was no statutory obligation to consult on grass cutting and maintenance issues, nevertheless it would have been good practice to inform ward councillors, consult with friends groups and make the public aware.
“The committee found some evidence of consultation but it was inadequate.”
Following the panel hearing Kirklees Conservative leader Rob Light said: “It shows that the cabinet has been totally arrogant and has dismissed the views of the public.”
