Walsall Council cuts are blooming awful! Grass cutting and flower displays latest to be hit by axe

Fourteen jobs will be lost and maintenance at sites such as Barr Beacon and Brownhills Common will be 'significantly reduced'.

Grass verges and parks in housing estates will be cut up to every 20 days, instead of fortnightly during the summer months.

It comes after it emerged that community events and bonfires will be scrapped at parks throughout Walsall under the latest council budget cuts. Fourteen jobs from the 90 in the department will be lost.

A report to the council states: "The frequency of cutting large grass areas, currently mown on a fortnightly basis, will be significantly reduced except for popular pedestrian access routes including those used regularly by dog walkers etc.

"Sites identified will be where by sports pitch provision and play areas are not in situ."

Other examples given include Reedswood Park, Delves Common, Clayhanger Common and parts of Pleck Park.

All seasonal displays of plants in town centres will be stopped, which mainly includes hanging backets and fixed pots on the pavement.

Aldridge, Brownhills, Bloxwich, Darlaston, Willenhall, Walsall Arboretum, Aldridge cenotaph, Pelsall High Street, Bloxwich's King George V playing field and the cenotaph in Rushall will all be hit.

Displays will also be scrapped in cemeteries in Ryecroft, Bentley, Willenhall and Streetly Crematorium. The report adds: "This saving may encourage anti-social behaviour in relation to its impact on the appearance of neighbourhoods which could show signs of neglect if areas appear unkempt due to longer grass, littering, and, possibly, fly tipping.

"It may impact on service awards for excellence in relation to In Bloom, Green Flag awards. It may also impact on the overall appearance and perceived cleanliness of neighbourhoods and pride in local communities."

Councillor Paul Bott, chairman of Friends of Darlaston South Parks, said: "People go into a park and want to see it clean and tidy. If it is going to be neglected people will lose interest and anti-social behaviour elements will come into parks.

"Flowers give the town centre a lift."