‘High growth’ conditions left streets looking shabby

Dudley Council’s cabinet is to be told the weather played a part in streets getting into a shabby state.

A report for the committee, which meets on August 13, lifts the lid on how the authority’s Street Scene teams struggled to keep the borough looking its best over the last two years.

The council merged its Green Care and Street Cleansing services in 2023 but budget cuts meant service levels could not be maintained and were adjusted.

The cabinet report, signed by Nick McGurk, Dudley group director of communities and growth, said: “The service stabilised in 2025, and service levels were achieved. This was helped by a low growth (weather-wise) season allowing teams to stay on top of requirements.

“In 2026 the service has been impacted by a strong high growth season, particularly in May and June, which has caused a proliferation of weeds and grass across the country, with Dudley being no different.” 

The budget squeeze from 2024 caused the removal of ten full-time equivalent jobs which meant halving the number of times grass was cut, from 12-14 down to six per year.

Cabinet members will also be told the service was ‘impacted significantly’ by cuts which prevented recruitment of replacement staff or agency cover and overtime pay for work other than where ‘contractual or health and safety reasons were identified’.

The authority also faced difficulties with outdated machinery including ride-on mowers which it struggled to maintain as spending restrictions left teams short of cash.

Dudley Council has now achieved financial savings which allowed the Street Scene team to employ up to 15 agency staff to cover periods of higher demand, staff absence and weekend shifts.

The report said: “As a result, the service is largely back on track, although weed treatment and removal is lagging in some areas. 

“The product used for weed treatment is limited by recommendations to not spray above 24 degrees, which has impacted activity in the recent hot weather.”

The council is also trying out new grass cutting machinery and planning to buy new equipment ready for 2027.