2 TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR GRASS CUTTING AND ASSOCIATED GRANT FUNDING AWARDS TO TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS – The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report seeking approval to implement a proposal to enable Town and Parish Councils to manage grass cutting at a community-based level. This applied to public rights of way, highway verges and small public open spaces.
The council was progressing work to realise the benefits of enabling community organisations, including town and parish councils, to do more for their communities. With specific reference to grass cutting, there was an opportunity to implement a proposal. This applied to public rights of way, highway verges and small public open spaces. This would build on the success of a number of pilot schemes associated with grass cutting.
The proposal was to transfer responsibility to Town and Parish Councils for managing all aspects of grass cutting in each respective town or parish. Where Town and Parish Councils accepted this responsibility they would be supported by an appropriate award of grant funding. Town and Parish Councils would benefit from a greater control over grass cutting arrangements, particularly the ability to exert greater influence on the programming and quality of grass cutting work to better meet local needs and expectations.
The opportunity was also there to work collaboratively with Town and Parish Councils and community organisations to drive even better value for money out of grass cutting arrangements.
Resolved - (a) That the implementation of the proposal to transfer to Town and Parish Councils responsibility for managing all aspects of grass cuttings to public rights of way, highway verges and small public open spaces and other functions be approved, and (b) that where Town and Parish Councils accepted this responsibility, they be supported by an appropriate award of grant funding.