Grass may not be cut this year
Lockdownmeanspublic placescouldstayovergrown
STEPHEN BARK
Some parks and public spaces in Rutherglen and Cambuslang could be left unkempt until 2021.
Grass cutting and grounds maintenance services were suspended by the council in March following the UKwide coronavirus lockdown, meaning some areas could go more than nine months without being tended to.
An internal briefing for councillors, MPs and MSPs seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that not all grass and hedge cutting was being carried out, with no date set for a return to full service.
Officers stated “in all likelihood that a full resumption of service delivery will not be seen in 2020 based on current restrictions”.
Maintenance of flower and rose beds is suspended until further notice, while parts of the Care of Gardens scheme and maintenance and renovation of some grass football pitches is on hold and may not take place this year.
Complaints about the state of public places in the region have prompted Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell to write to chief executive Clelland Sneddon asking when a full service will resume. A number of residents have complained that while grass in South Lanarkshire is left to keep growing, neighbouring
North Lanarkshire has been able maintain public spaces and grass cutting.
The council has prioritised some areas as they begin to restart grounds maintenance services, but there are concerns that some parks and public spaces could be left behind.
Conservative MSP Ms Mitchell said: “I appreciate that there have been challenges to resuming grounds maintenance operations placed upon South Lanarkshire Council.
“Here, I understand that the council has prioritised services where there are, for example, safety concerns, and a phased returned to full service is being implemented.
“However, no grass cutting or other maintenance has taken place in most areas of South Lanarkshire for months which has prompted constituents to contact me asking when they will resume.
“In particular, constituents have made comparisons with North Lanarkshire Council where grass cutting has continued throughout lockdown.
“It is therefore legitimate to be ask why Labour-led North Lanarkshire Council has been able to continue grass cutting services, but SNP-led South Lanarkshire has not.
“Furthermore, concern – which I share – has been expressed about the statement from South Lanarkshire that some grounds maintenance services may not return in 2020.
“Many people, including those in sheltered accommodation, use these open spaces for recreation.
“More generally South Lanarkshire residents take a pride in seeing their local area looking well kept and with flowers in bloom.
“Moreover, as schools return in August, it is key that grass cutting services are resume with schools as a priority.
“As we enter phase three and restrictions ease, I call on South Lanarkshire Council to fully resume services as soon as it practicable to do so.”
Ms Mitchell asked Mr Sneddon if delayed grass collection machines had now been delivered, when a full grass cutting service was likely to resume and if South Lanarkshire had been in contact with North Lanarkshire about their approach.
However, as plans have yet to be finalised, the council could not confirm when the service was expected to be back to normal.
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We are currently working our way through preparations for the next phase of the recovery of services, including open space grass cutting.
“Once we have all the details finalised we will communicate what our plans are through the usual council channels.”