A leading Councillor has this week accused Stafford Borough Council of providing a less than adequate grass cutting service to elderly residents in Haughton despite the fact they pay extra for the service.

Barry Stamp, Councillor for Haughton, made the comment after being inundated with complaints about the quality of grass cutting carried out by Council contractors on grass outside warden linked bungalows and flats in Royds Close and Ash Drive.

"Last week was the first time Borough Council contractors had cut the grass in Haughton this year. I was appalled to see just how the work had been carried out and the mess that had been left behind. The best way to describe the mess in Royds Close was to liken it to haymaking. Long clippings had been left in piles all over the grassed area - in some areas almost six inches deep. At first site it was reminiscent of a hay field just after it had been cut. In Ash Drive the grass was not so long, but tufts of grass had been left standing. I am disappointed that this is the best service the Council can give its elderly residents, especially as they each pay an extra service charge to get the grass cut. I understand from the Council that currently the contractor are not required to pick up the grass cuttings, nor are they required to cut the grass with a collection box fitted to the mower. I am sure that if the contractors or council officers were doing this job in their own garden, they would make sure the grass was collected and removed. To expect elderly residents to go out and rake up the grass cutting themselves is beyond a joke, especially as the Council is making them pay extra for the service. I have to say that the situation was so bad that a special clean-up was authorised and paid for by the Council this time, but I was told in no uncertain terms that this could not be repeated. I believe we are making elderly residents pay for a service and then not delivering," said Councillor Stamp.

The current way the Council arranges for its grass to be cut will be looked at again shortly under its best value review programme. With this in mind, Councillor Stamp is writing to the Leader of Council to ask him to ensure that the service the Council gives to its elderly residents is reviewed, and that either the service is improved or the extra service charge they pay is scrapped.