People power prompts a U-turn on grass cutting

PUBLIC protest has prompted councillors to look again at plans to reduce grass cutting in Mid Argyll.

As part of a series of cost-cutting measures – known as Service Choices – last year aimed at closing a (then) £10 million funding gap, the council decided to reduce its grass-cutting services in some areas and stop it completely in others. In taking these steps, councillors hoped to save £18,000 from the budget.

A report to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee last week stated, however, that ‘significant representation’ had since been received by members and officers from local people complaining about unkempt and untidy grassed areas resulting from the savings measure.

The various administrative areas of Argyll and Bute operated individual grass cutting schedules prior to 2016, so the impact of the cost-saving measures differed between regions.

At last Wednesday’s area committee, councillors approved a proposal to standardise cyclical cuts to 14 per year across all areas – a move nonetheless aimed at achieving the same overall budget saving.

The area committee also recommended that further detail be provided on the external amenity contracts across all council areas.

Councillor Sandy Taylor said: ‘This decision sees a return to the frequency of cuts to that which prevailed before the Service Choices “cuts”, and the problems associated with that.’

He added: ‘All in all, this is a good outcome for the people and businesses of Mid Argyll, one which should see an improvement in ground maintenance in the year ahead. If not, we will revisit the programme again next year.’

Councillor Dougie Philand added: ‘This allows areas that were hardly cut last year now to be cut on a more regular basis, hence the reason for the cut frequency.

‘This is also on the proviso that we, as members, get feedback to allow the new councillors for next year to take another look at this year’s outcomes and change accordingly.’