Caerphilly County Borough Council has cut £120,000 from spending on bedding plants and flowers as part of its drive to reduce costs.
Councillor Colin Mann, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “In an ideal world we would not be reducing the amount we spend on floral displays.
“However, the tough economic climate means we have to look at all areas of spending to protect frontline services and that is what the Plaid-led administration is determined to do.
“Despite the reductions on bedding plants, and maintenance costs, our staff are continuing to provide excellent displays to brighten our communities and that will remain one of our priorities.”
He added: “These savings, and the further reductions we will have to make, are a direct result of the impact of the bail-out of the banks and the mismanagement of the UK economy by Gordon Brown and the Labour Government. They failed to put money away when times were good and built up a vast deficit as a result of the bail-out .”
Spending on floral displays reduced from £195,000 in 2009 to £72,939 in 2010.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said: “The drop in costs was down to not planting some spring bedding, with bulbs and spring flowers not purchased. This had a knock-on impact of reducing maintenance costs.”
Additionally, the Plaid Cymru controlled council reduced the number of flower beds and replaced others with perennial planting to give a more sustainable and rounded colour theme to many sites.
These type of floral beds also do not require the intensive maintenance that carpet bedding and annual flowers do.
wow..is that all the cuts……what about freebie days for councillors should they be stopped plus use of transport for the mayor etc have all the public transport stopped in ccbc,why not lead the borough by deeds for others to follow rather than publish such trivia.