Mixed response PKC's 'environmentally-friendly alternative' to grass-cutting
Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has reverted to a medieval method of maintaining some of its green spaces.
The local authority - which has been criticised for its "no mow" approach - this week announced staff had received training to cut grass with scythes.
PKC also offered to train volunteers to safely use the sharp tools to maintain its public spaces.
A PKC spokesperson said: "Our Community Greenspace staff have recently received training in the safe use of scythes from an experienced trainer through SABI (Scythe Association of Britain and Northern Ireland) as an effective and more environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuel-powered equipment.
"As a result, we can now offer training to community groups, on request, if they are looking to use these tools safely when carrying out maintenance in their local green spaces. Only people who are suitably trained and have the council's permission can carry out this work in public green spaces. Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Greenspace can find out more on our website at www.pkc.gov.uk/greenvolunteers."
Since 2021 PKC has changed the way it manages its grasslands. From 2021 to 2024 grassland management trials were carried out across 198 council sites. A "cut and lift" approach was carried out on some sites - where there was an annual cut and clippings were removed and a "cut and leave" approach was adopted on other sites where clippings from the annual cut were left to allow wildflowers such as daisies and buttercups to grow.
In 2024 the Grow Wild programme was extended across Perth and Kinross for two years in a bid to improve biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs at up to 1,700 of the 1,900 sites PKC maintains.
The initiative has been met with criticism, with children traipsing through hidden dog poo in long grass to get to play parks.
Council cemeteries are scheduled to have their grass cut on a fortnightly basis and strimming around headstones on a monthly basis. However, staffing pressures last year led to a bereaved mum resorting to bringing a battery-powered strimmer to clear her son's grave.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes - who has received a number of complaints about PKC's Grow Wild policy - is "perplexed" by this latest "full vintage" move.
The Conservative councillor said: "I was a little perplexed that the council have gone full vintage on their grass-cutting policy and I certainly hope that none of these scythes are being sharpened up to make an even bigger cut to the grass-cutting budget than has already taken place.
"I really don't understand the aim here; if it's honestly about reducing emissions then battery-operated strimmers would surely be suitable? Or else we could perhaps just order a few sheep to keep the grass down - after all, they get paid in grass, fertilise as they go and never complain."
The news received a mixed response on PKC's Facebook page.
Stuart King asked: "Is it April 1? Most dangerous tool out!"
Craig Murray added: "Wow. Talk about using anything to save money; are we going back to the Stone Age?"
Chris Jackson said: "So in other words, we're too tight to pay our employees to get out and cut all the grassy areas we've neglected for the last six months, so we'll get Joe Public to do all our work for us but claim we're doing our bit for the environment. Sounds about right."
Some supported the green initiative.
Gus Norman said: "Well done."
Madeline Warriner added: "MacRosty Park looks fantastic. In my opinion, they have got the balance right between natural grassland and mown grassland. Congratulations to the team for doing this."
Kim Winters Alumis said: "I like how parks and green spaces have patches of longer grass. It looks much better then just boring short grass."
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