Work in parks, gardens and open spaces across Rother is being changed and, in some cases, reduced as the District Council continues to tackle a significant funding gap.

Residents will notice some changes including further reductions in ornamental planting and bedding, as well as continuing to maintain some sites as long grass to reduce costs and encourage biodiversity.

Other changes have been introduced for grass cutting and grounds maintenance at sports clubs.

The Council will prioritise its resources on customer safety – ensuring that play areas across the district are safe, watercourses are clear, and litter is collected regularly. The authority will focus maintenance on popular, high-profile parks and open spaces and cemeteries will remain unaffected.

Councillor Hazel Timpe, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Like many Councils, we are facing significant financial challenges and are having to review our discretionary services to see if they can be managed more sustainably.

“We are having to introduce changes to the way we deliver some services – including in our parks and open spaces, and for example, how grounds maintenance is delivered by sports clubs on council-owned land. Even after making these savings, we still face a £2.5 million funding gap.

“We understand that some residents will have concerns over these changes and in an ideal world we wouldn’t be making some of them. However, the stark reality is that we face an unprecedented financial situation that is forcing us to make decisions about non-statutory services to help protect critical services such as housing and the homeless, and waste collections.” More information about parks and green spaces across the district can be found on the Council’s website at: Parks and Green Spaces – Rother District Council