Ross calls for grass cutting equipment to be loaned out
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MORAY'S MP has asked the council to loan out grass cutting equipment to the community.
Douglas Ross has written to Moray Council's chief executive to enquire if the local authority has any mowers and strimmers it is no longer using.
This follows the budget decision in February to reduce the level of grassing cutting – a move which Mr Ross is campaigning to have reversed.
The MP said: "Moray Council has a significant amount of equipment which would have been utilised by the full contingent of Lands and Parks staff before the decision was made to drastically reduce the grass cutting operation across Moray.
"If this is the case and only a fraction of the grass on council property is now being cut, I would imagine that there is equipment lying about in council sheds more or less redundant.
"I’ve asked the council if there is capacity for any of this grass cutting equipment to be loaned out to organised community groups to allow them to cut the grass given the interest that has been shown by many to get involved.
"At times like this we have to rely on the goodwill of the community to help keep our villages and towns neat and tidy.
"If grass cutting equipment is available and can be loaned out to community groups by the council under memorandums of understanding that would be a big step forward.
"I’m also writing to community councils and local community trusts asking if they are in a position to pull together actions teams that could utilise this equipment.
"In the meantime, a hard copy of my grass cutting petition is available at over 30 retail and business outlets in Moray or on-line at www.douglasross.org.uk as we need to keep the pressure up to try and persuade the council to reverse its decision."
A spokesperson for Moray Council said it did not have grass-cutting equipment lying redundant, and added that any loan system would have to be carefully considered for health and safety, and insurance purposes.
The spokesperson continued: "Despite reductions in grass cutting in some housing and open amenity areas, we are continuing to operate a full grass-cutting service in many council-owned areas, as well as carrying out community-funded grass cutting in others.
"Our housing section is also funding grass cutting in council housing areas, so equipment is being used for this purpose, too.
"The situation is being monitored regularly and, should we be in a position to dispose of any grass-cutting equipment, this will be done in line with existing council policy."
