Susan van de Ven

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bassingbourn, Litlington, Melbourn, Meldreth and Whaddon Learn more

Why is the grass so long everywhere?

by Susan van de Ven on 18 May, 2016

The County Council’s grass cutting of the verge along the A10 and elsewhere has been reduced to just two cuts per year. That’s not very much considering that all grass grows at the same rate, and not many people would want their garden lawn cut just twice per year.

Cutting the A10 verge doesn’t actually cost very much, but the state of the Council’s budget is such that only the bare minimum is being done. Yes it’s unsightly, and it’s dangerous too when it obstructs a cycle and pedestrian path. Visibility splays at junctions are being cut a little more often, but just enough.

Sadly this bare minimum approach is replicated across council services.

Central Government is doing away with providing the funds that councils need to run public services. Unfortunately, to make matters worse, Conservatives at Cambridgeshire County Council this year decided to freeze council tax, presumably bowing to UKIP pressure – even though public consultations supported a tax rise to save public services. Therefore, we are £5 million worse off than we need to be.

It’s up to politicians to be honest with the electorate: if services are needed, they need to be paid for. Harking on about keeping your taxes low and running a lean machine has implications.

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