Council slammed over grass cutting

TWO councillors have slammed borough council officers in the wake of a stream of complaints about the maintenance of grass verges and open spaces in Culcheth.
Borough and parish councillor Chris Vobe says the lack of adequate grass cutting is now in “debacle territory.”
Parish councillor Matt Smith has called on the borough to do more for residents in Newchurch, which he says has been the worst affected area.
Over the past month, a number of verges in Culcheth and Croft villages have been left to grow and – in some instances – have reached knee height.
The two councillors have received a significant numbers of complaints from residents.
Cllr Vobe accepted the borough had been forced to find new and innovative ways of delivering services as a result of “cruel and pernicious” cuts imposed by the government.
But he said: “Residents rightly expect basic services to be maintained and we believe it is only right that grass cutting is kept up to standard so that the village continues to offer a well-kept environment, which is welcoming to all. Having the verges left in this untidy state recently is unacceptable – and, in some areas, has reached debacle territory!”
Cllr Smith added: “We are simply not content to allow Newchurch, or the wider communities of Culcheth and Croft, to be forgotten.
“That is why we have been pro-actively working with council officers to make sure that, from this point forward, the grass verges are well-maintained and that the errors we have seen recently are put right as soon as possible.
“We have secured a forward plan for maintenance in Newchurch which we believe will be as strong – if not stronger – than that which was in place previously. From this point forward, Newchurch will have grass cutting carried out every three weeks. This cycle will ensure that the proper levels are maintained and that the grass doesn’t grow out of proportion again.
“I believe that the council must do more for Newchurch residents, and environment officers must get to grips with the fact that we don’t appreciate, and will not accept, this part of the village being left at the back of the queue.”
Pictured: Councillors Vobe and Smith…in the long grass