Fears over the potential decline in the state of Angus beaches have been followed up by a warning that a council cash crisis could dull the appearance of the county’s flower beds.
With local authorities facing a massive financial headache and some already predicting unavoidable job cuts, non-priority budget elements are increasingly coming under threat.
Angus neighbourhood services councillors who were told that the cost of beach cleaning could be too much to ensure local sands maintain their award-winning appearance have now learned that an EU block on herbicides used by the authority will almost certainly mean more weeds in district parks.
European politicians outlawed weedkillers using the herbicide dichlobenil a component of three products Angus Council has used for more than three decades to control weeds in county beds and borders. With a spring application the products would give up to six months of weed control, reducing upkeep costs dramatically, according to officials.
In accordance with the timing of the EU ruling, Angus applied its final stocks of the banned products this spring and although that will keep flowerbeds tidy until the autumn, councillors have been warned that maintenance costs are set to grow in 2011.
Neighbourhood services director Ron Ashton said, “The cost of shrub and rose bed maintenance is fully budgeted for and accordingly there are no financial implications arising in the current financial year. From spring 2011 maintenance visits will increase from two to eight visits per annum, with emergent weeds being spot treated with approved contact herbicides.
“The effect of this change is that planted areas will no longer be entirely free of weeds. Once spot treated the weed will collapse and die within days but remain visible. Trials of new chemicals will continue as they become available but it is anticipated environmental considerations will reduce application rates to less effective levels.Increased costs”Alternative methods of weed control will, however, have associated increased costs in future years and these will have to be taken into account in any future weed control proposals and their consequent impact on the maintenance budget for 2011/12 and beyond.”
Committee convener Jim Millar said, “We knew that the legislation was changing and I fear that the overall appearance may deteriorate in the future.”
Meanwhile Angus Council is set to spend half a million pounds over the next year in improving and maintaining its parks and cemeteries.
In a report issued to members of the neighbourhood services committee, the local authority commits itself to carrying out new repairs and renovations but also to completing some projects which were originally scheduled to be finished in last year’s programme. This includes the £115,000 J.M. Barrie project at Kirriemuir Hill, which to date still has £99,896 of its budget remaining.
In addition a drive to provide a new play area at Green Park in Montrose and improve railings at both Eastern and Western Cemeteries in Arbroath have also to be finished.
New projects outlined in the latest report include the installment of a £70,000 play area at Strathmartine Park and the removal of a disused tennis court and reinstatement of ground at Brechin Park. Landscaping and drainage improvements around the park, bowling green and nearby Mill Steps will also be carried out at a cost of £20,000.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user surroundsound5000.