Warning failure to cut verges could spark fires

Dudley councillors were warned reductions to grass cutting services could lead to a risk of more fires on borough streets.

At a meeting of the authority’s cabinet on August 13, Reform UK councillor Dr Rob Clinton quizzed the ruling Conservative group on a a decision to half the number of times verges were cut.

Speaking as fire services battled wildfires which destroyed homes in Stourbridge, Cllr Clinton warned climate change needs to be on the agenda in the future.

He said: “We’re all aware of climate change, we are all aware of grass verges getting out of control, we are all aware of leaves on roads and people know people smoke and throw a cigarette out of the window.

“It’s in residential areas, that’s why we need to keep the grass cut down.”

Cllr Clinton highlighted how weather conditions and climate change can dramatically affect the rate of growth of roadside vegetation and called on the council to make sure it was controlled to prevent fire risks.

He added: “You can’t do policies by crossing your fingers and hope, fire is a major risk.

“We cannot create a situation within the borough where there is a possibility of all over going up in flames and impacting or endangering peoples’ houses; that’s why I want an increase in cuts.

“We definitely need to be proactive rather than reactive and offset the problem rather than waiting for something to happen.”

Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Cllr Damian Corfield, told the meeting two years ago the council had been forced to make savings to fend off possible effective bankruptcy.

He said the environment directorate shaved £9m from its spending to preserve budgets for statutory services like adult social care.

He said: “I made the decision to protect the most vulnerable in society and our people are doing well.

“So I would ask you directly, and residents listening, what would your priority be if you were in my shoes?

“Would you make those savings and protect the most vulnerable in society or would you cut the grass 12 times a year?”

Cllr Corfield added the council’s financial position had now improved and £1m was already being reinvested into the service.