South Holland District Council is to spend £250,000 over five years on improved lawnmowers to keep the area looking trim.
On Tuesday, the authority’s cabinet backed providing £50,000 every year until 2022/23 to purchase one new mower a year.
A report by Emily Spicer, the district council’s environmental service manager, states that the current equipment has a life span of no more than six years but has actually been in operation for between eight and 13 years.
It also claims that the authority is responsible for 10.1 hectares of extra space since that equipment was purchased and has advised the purchasing of a further mower.
The report states: “Public open spaces are a vital part of the South Holland district. They are used by many thousands of people, including local residents and visitors to South Holland.
“It is recognised that the quality of the street scene affects people’s decisions about visiting the district and whether to invest in the economy.”
Roger Gambba-Jones told the authority’s cabinet: “We’re seeking funding to replace lawnmowers and purchase an extra piece of equipment to give us further capacity for an ever increasing demand and give us the opportunity to look for other business in line with our commercial plan.
“Most equipment we’ve had for the last eight years and it’s given us sterling service.
“But part of our current methods is allowing grass to get that bit longer which has an effect on the equipment.
“It’s already causing issues and now we’ve taken on the role of cutting grass and parish councils are paying us directly to cut the grass for them so we need to provide a good service to them.”
