Council welcomes farmer's assistance in greenspace maintenance
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Aberdeenshire Council has welcomed the help being offered by local farmers and contractors as it tackles the back-log of grass cutting in the north-east.
A spokesman said: "The last few months have seen significant changes to many aspects of our lives and work as the Covid-19 pandemic has developed.
"Aberdeenshire Council services have been redesigned and personnel redeployed to concentrate on critical activities, such as health and social care provision, waste collection and burials, and this work will continue to be our priority as we move through the stages of recovery.
"We do understand that general open space, particularly grassed areas, is not currently in the condition that you would normally expect.
"However, it is clear we do not have the capacity to carry out widespread grass cutting, particularly to high amenity standard."
He explained: "Some offers have been received over the last few weeks from local farmers and agricultural contractors to assist with cutting grass in our open spaces.
"Whilst we note some frustrations on the time taken to get the relevant information documents issued to you, we gratefully appreciate the offers that have been made.
"Offers of support come from a desire to do the right thing, and we want to encourage that as much as possible, however, we also have to recognize that sometimes things can go wrong and we have therefore taken time to prepare relevant Terms of Operation document that can be shared,
"This information will ensure that everyone can remain safe from Covid-19 and are not exposed to any others risks to health, safety or litigation."
In Turriff local farmer Robbie Wilson topped the grass down at The Haughs, in advance of teams from Aberdeenshire Council completing the closer pitch cutting which was undertaken on Friday morning.
The spokesman noted for those that still want to help: "If you have already offered assistance and we have your contact details your local Landscapes Officers will be in touch to provide you with the relevant douumentation.
"If you have not provided your details, but would now like to offer assistance in this regard please in the first instance contact us through email on greenspace@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
"This information will then be passed to our local teams."
