‘Lifeline’ garden service costs to soar for ‘most vulnerable’
The cost of “lifeline” Edinburgh City Council gardening services used by the elderly and people with disabilities is set to be hiked by 70 per cent.
A councillor warned the significant rise in ‘Garden Aid’ charges will hit the city’s most vulnerable. Despite only being increased by around 5 per cent in recent years, the price of accessing grass-cutting and hedge trimming through the scheme will on average rise by 70 per cent due to a change in council contractor.
It means the annual cost of mowing a garden which is 51 to 100 metres squared will jump from £105 to £179.32. Furthermore, trimming a hedge 151 to 200 metres squared in size will more than double, rising by 111 per cent – compared to just 4.94 per cent last year – and now costing £170.98.
The scheme is designed to help residents who are “elderly, disabled or medically unable to maintain their garden and do not have any other members of their household who are able to maintain their garden for them,” the council’s website says.
Described as “very basic grass cutting and hedge trimming”, the service is available to people living in council homes over the age of 60 and in receipt of housing benefit, people in all types of property in receipt of disability benefits and residents aged over 80.
Councillor Kate Campbell, SNP, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that some of our most vulnerable residents are seeing a 70 per cent increase in charges for what is a lifeline service. Many people are completely reliant on Garden Aid, without it they simply won’t cope.”
Edinburgh City Council has been asked for comment.