ARGYLL and Bute Council is unlikely to reduce grass cutting of public areas any further, according to a new report.

The authority's environment, development and infrastructure committee has been told that any more reductions in the number of grass cuts is unlikely to lead to meaningful savings.

A report by senior council director Kirsty Flanagan says that the authority's staff are responsible for looking after areas of grassland covering two million square metres – equivalent to the size of Monaco, or of 257 Hampden Park football pitches.

The document also says that parts of the area have not had their grass cut to specifications as determined by the council because of competing demands, including burials and bin collections.

READ MORE: Cemeteries could close in money-saving move, says council report

The budget available for grass cutting has also been reduced by more than 15 per cent since the 2013/14 financial year.

Ms Flanagan, the executive director with responsibility for roads and infrastructure, said in her report: “Reducing the number of cuts any further is not considered to be achievable in terms of delivering meaningful savings.

“Fewer cuts mean the grass is longer when it is cut, so the time to complete the tasks increase and the strain on equipment is greater.

“This would lead to more equipment down-time and greater maintenance and/or replacement costs.

READ MORE: Reduce cemetery grass cuts to save money, Helensburgh councillor suggests

“The current service standards are achievable within the existing budget, staffing and machinery framework. However, resources are so closely matched to those standards that there is limited, if any, resilience to respond to issues which inevitably arise.

“Decisions are having to be made on a regular basis to prioritise what work can be carried out with the available resource.

“It is not unusual for our operational supervisors and managers to be faced with competing demands, including digging graves/burying the dead, collecting bins, making safe potentially dangerous defects and grass cutting.

“Inevitably, but unfortunately, grass cutting often has to be left.

READ MORE: Council tax bills to rise by 4.5 per cent as Argyll and Bute's budget is voted through

“Last year, in one of the administrative areas, there was an unusual increase in burials over a period which meant that very little grass was cut whilst resource was diverted to grave digging and burials.

“Although the provision of a grass cutting service is a non-statutory function, the effective maintenance of public open spaces supports the economic development and growth of the area both in terms of attracting tourists as well as new residents.

“Providing and suitably maintaining sporting facilities also supports another strategic priority – allowing people to live active, healthier and independent lives.”

READ MORE: Check out all the latest news from across Helensburgh and Lomond here