Weeds and Pavements

Numerous residents have complained to me this year about weeds and the state of many pavements in Grove and Wantage. I discovered early this summer, when I made my first enquiries, that the budget for routine weedkilling has been curtailed at the County Council and no money was being delegated to parish councils to do it either. Basically, the work wasn't being done. I had therefore prepared a motion for debate at today's Council meeting to call for the re-instatement of this budget for next year.

We have had some success with overhanging brambles being tackled in our worse areas, but as evidence in the photograph shows, our pavements are cracking up with this lack of maintenance and it will lead to more costly repairs in the future. Hardly efficient use of our money if we think about it. Urgent action is still needed.

Today was the full meeting of Council and it was an unusual day. Standing orders were suspended to allow the Leader of the Council to put forward his ideas about developing a sustainable community strategy for Oxfordshire. .... so our pavements were yet again put on the back burner. However, I live in hope and we will bring it back to the Council in November. Watch this space!