Sunderland City Council respond to the concerns
City chiefs have laid the blame for the cutbacks in grass cutting services at the door of the Government. Sunderland City Council warned as it looked to face cuts of £110million by 2020, which follows on from the £207million cut from its budget during the six years leading up to last autumn. Council leader Paul Watson, warning people would begin to see services take a real hit, said “Given the level of savings needed, we’re going to have to radically rethink some of the things we do, and this will inevitably impact on the services we provide.” In the latest move, its parks are now left unlocked around the clock in a bid to save almost £80,000 a year. Speaking of the decision to reduce grass cutting services, portfolio holder for city services, Councillor Michael Mordey said: “We understand the concerns of residents’ and share their frustration that we can no longer provide the level of service we once did. “This is directly in response to the level of cuts imposed upon the council by the Government. “It is not an excuse, it is the reality of the situation we are because of the Government’s imposed austerity agenda. “We have lost over £240 million since 2010 and simply have no other choice but to reduce the services we provide, as we cannot spend money we do not have. “I would encourage all communities to come together and work their local ward councillors, to find ways we can continue to work together to mitigate the impact of the Government’s austerity agenda on our local communities.”