FLINTSHIRE Council has addressed the difficulties in maintaining grounds as a result of budget cuts and a surge in grass growth.

The warm, wet weather over the spring period has seen a surge in grass growth across the county, creating more demand for the dedicated members of the highways and grounds maintenance teams. 

However, due to recent budget cuts, resources are being stretched more thinly across Flintshire Council compared to previous years. 

Like other local authorities across the country, Flintshire has had to reduce spending this year on all its services, but the number of sites being maintained for grass cutting has not reduced (834 sites and 16 cemeteries).

A spokesperson said: "As a result, there are fewer members of the grounds maintenance team compared to previous years.

"This, coupled with a longer grass growing season, caused over the years as the climate has grown warmer, is making it increasingly difficult to provide the same service that residents have become used to and there will be times of the year when grass is growing so quickly that we struggle to keep up, despite our best efforts.

"Balancing customer expectations against the weather and resources available is becoming increasingly challenging. 

"Our grass cutting teams are conscientious and take pride in the work that they do, and we cut grass between March and October, but not every grassed area needs the same cutting regime."

A policy change was approved by the council in March 2023 for managing road verges and amenity grasslands to better support biodiversity in areas where it doesn’t cause safety concerns for residents or motorists. 

Great care is taken to ensure that grass cutting continues in places where safety would be in any way impacted by poor visibility or where pavements and cycle paths would have reduced width making them less safe. This means the grass won’t be cut as often in some other areas, such as highway verges and some areas will not receive full cuts, such as cemeteries.

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It is important to keep cemeteries and recreational spaces like urban parks maintained for the well-being of the users and we understand and acknowledge the recent concerns regarding grass cutting across the county. 

However, the council has identified sites or boundaries of sites where grass can be left to grow for the benefit of nature, biodiversity and help us to combat climate change. Balancing safety with the need to support biodiversity is essential for the health and well-being of the community and environment.

A spokesperson added: "If you are concerned that a road verge, park or cemetery is overgrown, you can let us know using our online form.

"The site will subsequently be inspected for any safety issues and remedial action taken if required."