Council steps up the war on weeds
HYNDBURN council will increase the number of weed spraying and grass cutting programmes to boost the appearance of the borough following criticism from residents.
Bosses have admitted that the works carried out over the last 12 months have been ‘insufficient’ due to funding cuts and are now trying to secure more cash to rectify the problem.
The Observer reported last year how the weed killing budget was halved meaning that it could only be carried out once a year instead of twice.
Lancashire County Council (LCC) has promised to reinstate funding to tackle ‘public realm’ works including certain grassed areas, trees and roadside verges, however no time frame has been set.
Coun Ken Moss told a recent Hyndburn cabinet meeting that they want their budget fully restored.
He said: “We have put in our bid. We want the full amount that we used to get in years gone by in order to get the grass and trees and leaf l blowing back up to spec.
“We have put in what is a relevant figure adding in for inflation over the preceding six years.
“Whether we get that or not is another thing and we’ve not been given a timeframe, but we have had positive discussions coming from LCC.
“They have come forward asking us, which is unprecedented.
“So we are hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later and in the next 12 months it will be back up to speed.”
Hyndburn Conservative group leader Coun Tony Dobson said cuts to weed killing and grass cutting have led to ‘bad press’ and claims from residents that they are an ‘uncaring town’.
Council leader Miles Parkinson said that one weed killing spray every year ‘isn’t sufficient’.
He told the meeting: “We have been aware this year, due to what’s happened with the weed spraying and grass cutting, and we want to be able to make final arrangements in the budget next year so that what occurred this year is not to the same extent.
“The street scene is important, it’s what people see, and it’s important that the weeds and footpaths get the right amount of sprays.
“The district council this year will be spraying for a second time in September, although it is the responsibility of the county council.