Fears parks are being neglected despite U-turn on budget cuts

THE future of Birmingham’s park keepers remains in the balance amid fears parks are being run down following the latest round of cuts.

Council bosses initially planned for £1.8 million cuts – 20 per cent of the total parks budget – which would have seen all park keepers sacked and six park ranger stations cut to just two.

Following a public outcry the cut was scaled back to £600,000 and plans are being drawn up to achieve that.

But one user group, the Friends of Senneleys Park, in Bartley Green, said it had noticed a drop in service – including litter piling up in over-stuffed bins.

Fran Teale said: “It appears that we have now lost our park keeper but have not been officially informed, even though this is the third week without him. Litter bins are now rarely emptied, instead of the agreed five times a week. Rubbish is piling up, it’s a mess. We are collecting at least one sack of rubbish per day if not more. It is difficult to monitor. We can’t keep this up. Some grass has been cut today but the park is being forgotten by the council. We are struggling.”

But council parks director Steve Hollingworth said: “During last year’s budget consultation, Birmingham’s citizens made it clear the value they place on their parks and green spaces, and the proposed reduction from six to two ranger hubs was withdrawn.

“We are now consulting until the end of May with Birmingham Open Spaces Forum – which represents the city’s 150 Friends of Parks groups – and our contractors to look at how the Parks Service will be provided going forward.

“We have noted the concerns raised by the Friends of Senneleys Park and will ensure they are included in this consultation.”