A pilot grass management operating model for the 2024 growing season will begin this month (April) with the aim of improving outcomes for communities and local biodiversity.
The scheme will see a more holistic approach taken to managing greenspace areas, with cutting frequencies recalibrated to reflect local needs by incorporating community feedback and the local knowledge of staff.
The trial will initially be undertaken across three operational routes within different localities to monitor its effectiveness. The routes, in Berwickshire (Duns, Chirnside and surrounding villages), Eildon (Galashiels and Earlston) and Teviot and Liddesdale (Hawick), have been revised to include areas which would benefit from an additional cut, as well as areas where a more flexible cutting regime can be deployed, including naturalised areas which are cut and lifted at the end of the season.
This new approach will aim to make better use of available resources and target local priority sites where additional cuts are required, particularly during peak growing conditions.
Sites such as active cemeteries and play parks will be prioritised for cutting, with a more flexible regime employed across less active or inactive cemetery grounds and other sites identified that lend themselves to the establishment of more biodiverse spaces.
The new strategy will further the conservation of biodiversity across the region and help us meet goals set out in our Climate Change Route Map around promoting pollinators, reducing carbon emissions and recognising the importance greenspaces have in the wellbeing of society.
The pilot scheme will run for the entirety of the 2024 growing season with data gathered throughout in order to monitor its success. The data collected will inform any changes where appropriate to ensure the new regime is meeting the needs of local communities.
An engagement exercise will be undertaken where we will be asking communities and all relevant stakeholders their views on the new pilot and its effectiveness.
Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads Development & Maintenance
"Our grass cutting regimes were last updated in 2018 and we recognise the time has come to refresh our policies to align with the needs of local communities and better protect our natural environment.
"There can be no doubting the importance of well-maintained greenspace for community wellbeing and this pilot reflects that by targeting areas which are used the most.
"The purpose of this pilot is not to make any financial savings but to improve outcomes for communities. The ultimate aim is to use our resources more efficiently and to take a more flexible approach, meaning we can cut the areas of grass that need it more regularly.
"Another benefit of this pilot will be the introduction of more biodiversity areas in locations which are used less to support key pollinators and contribute to the Council's sustainability targets.
"We will be engaging with local communities across the Borders to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the pilot as it progresses to better understand the priorities for each area and make any changes that are required".
More information about the pilot scheme, including details of each pilot route and the locations included can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/grassmanagement.