Grant scheme for hedge cutting not on

CEO of Sligo County Council, Ciaran Hayes has told local representatives he has a ‘real difficulty’ with paying landowners to undertake hedge cutting when it is already a statutory requirement.

Fine Gael Councillor Gerard Mullaney put forward a motion for a Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme to be put in place by the council in order to encourage a joint approach by communities, groups of local residents and land owners to cut hedges/trees that need attention along the Public Road Network.

The CEO said, “Now you’re saying we should pay landowners to do what they’re constitutionally obliged to do. They are statutorily obliged to do it. I have a fundamental problem with that.”

Cllr Paul Taylor acknowledged that the council were addressing areas which had become dangerous and said some farmers undertake hedge cutting duties, while others did not.

Cllr Tom MacSharry posed the question that if farmers were statutorily obliged why weren’t the council prosecuting those who were not conducting their duty.

Director of Services, Tom Kilfeather outlined that a notice for hedge cutting had been put in the local media.

He said in particular cases prosecutions could be followed, however, he added that this would require time and resources.

The CEO said a scheme would not solve the issue and, instead, would ‘reward bad behaviour’.

Cllr Mullaney stated that some roads were partially closed as a result of overgrown hedges.

Cllr Joe Queenen suggested writing to farmers, while Cllr Mullaney suggested relaying possible prosecution warning in local media.

Director of Services, Tom Kilfeather said the issue was ‘at its worst’ after exceptional growth and assured council members the local authority would be dealing with the most dangerous areas.