MAY MOWING CONTINUING, SAY LIB DEMS

Labour council ignores commitments to "No Mow May" despite biodiversity emergency

Liberal Democrats on the city council were shocked this week to see essential pollinator plants being mown down across the city's parks and open spaces in the middle of May.  Last year, the Labour council committed to the national Plantlife "No Mow May" campaign: and despite advertising this to the whole city in the recent Open Door newsletter, council workers were seen mowing on Midsummer Common, on Christ's Pieces and on smaller pieces of green spaces in the city centre this week.

Cllr Cheney Payne, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Open Spaces, commented:

"The Labour council are playing lipservice to the biodiversity emergency.  May is the most important time for our insects to gather pollen, which is why "No Mow May" is a national campaign which can enhance desperately needed biodiversity.  After needlessly decimating daisies and buttercups last year, we asked Labour to support this campaign and they assured us that mowing would only take place where it was safety critical or in preparation for a special event.  However, they are clearly not sticking to their word."