Due to the bankruptcy situation forced on the Council by the current Labour administration, the decision has been taken to scale back the borough’s grounds maintenance service, including grass-cutting.
The unfortunate results of this policy are already being seen, and experienced, by residents.
At Woodcote Grove Recreation Ground in Coulsdon Town ward, dog walkers are complaining that the grass is far too long, especially for smaller-sized dogs to comfortably walk in. Only a portion of the area has so far been cut this year, around its perimeter.
The Council says that Woodcote Grove Rec has been selected as an area where a new cutting regime will be established with the objective of increasing the biodiversity across the borough. They say the Rec has been reclassified as a conservation area where the grass will be cut once a year in Autumn.
Coulsdon Town Councillors think this excuse is merely a pretence that hides the fact that Labour has run out of money for basic services.
If the grass is not cut properly then dog owners will not be able to see where to clean up after their animals. There is an increased risk of ticks being transferred to pets from unmaintained grass. And the length of the grass reduces the recreation space available for sports activities in parks.
More broadly, the policy to reduce grass-cutting is impacting not only recreation spaces. The borough’s grass verges are increasingly overgrown. And Croydon’s Crematoriums are overgrown to the extent that some mourners have been prevented from visiting gravesides to pay their respects. Memorials risk becoming inaccessible and dangerous to visit due to trip hazards.
The Labour Council claims its ‘meadowing’ policy increases wildflowers across the borough, benefiting butterflies and bees. The real reason is that the Council does not have the budget for grass-cutting.
Coulsdon Town Councillors are calling on Labour to deliver the basic services for which residents are paying their Council Tax.
