HOPES to set up a new, well-funded scheme to boost grass cutting rotas in Ledbury next year appear to have been snipped decisively at the root.

Town councillors hoped that a so-called "enhanced lengthsman scheme", joint funded by both the town council and Herefordshire Council, could be used not only for verge-trimming and pothole repairs, but also for grass-cutting on areas of public open space.

But Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes, has held talks with Herefordshire Council officials and he reported back that even an enhanced lengthsman scheme, making use of town council money, would be for highway maintenance only.

The blow once again raises the spectre of another summer of uncut long grass in Ledbury, unless local people break out the lawnmowers once more, as volunteers.

Balfour Beatty, Herefordshire Council's contractor, is planning another limited grass-cutting schedule, with just three cuts pencilled in for most areas, and six for "high priority" areas, such as play areas.

Cllr Barnes said, in a meeting last week: "The Herefordshire Council officer was fairly adamant that the lengthsman scheme is for highways only."

The town council hoped the enhanced lengthsman scheme could be funded to a total of around £13,000, with the help of match-funding, and tasks could include public grass-cutting duties, as required.

Cllr Liz Harvey, a town and county councillor for Ledbury said in response to Cllr Barnes' report: "I am not keen for parish council money to be dragged into a pot that can only be used to fill potholes.

"That should be the work of the county council."

But she added: "With an extension of the lengthsman scheme to include parish money, I would push back on the assertion that the money cannot be used for things seen as being important at parish level.

"It's a poor show if the town's money cannot be used to supplement grass cutting. Herefordshire Council needs to recognise that it cannot maintain grass areas to the standard we require with just three cuts a year."

Cllr Keith Francis added: "We are not getting any benefit from the extended lengthsman scheme, as it is proposed."

But there is still the possibility that the town council could take on some related duties from Herefordshire Council.

The town council already owns and maintains some grass areas, including the Recreation Ground, and some other areas, such as Queen's Walk Gardens and the Walled Garden, could also come under its wing.

Following his talks with the county council, Cllr Barnes suggested that "freehold asset transfer could be the answer".

He said: "We should start small and work up to larger areas. For example, if we thought we could manage the Town Trail, we could omit any tree work, as a first step."

Cllr Barnes has also discussed the possibility of the town getting a cultivation license from Herefordshire Council, which would allow local people to take on the responsibility for some, or all, of the town's flower beds.