Supporting our parishes with a long-term plan for grass cutting
Posted on: 3 October 2025
Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved a new approach to grass cutting across the borough.
At a Council meeting on Tuesday, 30 September, councillors agreed to support parish councils in finding the best approach to cutting grass on county-owned land.
The announcement of a review to the borough’s approach to grass cutting was made in the summer. Previously, Tewkesbury Borough Council maintained certain areas on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, and topped up the county’s standard two cuts a year to between eight and 12 cuts a year. However, earlier this year, both councils agreed to stop subsidising the additional cuts, and the responsibility for maintaining these areas returned to the county council on their standard schedule.
This decision was welcomed by many people as a positive move for biodiversity, but it also led to some dissatisfaction for the reduced number of cuts, with inconsistencies in maintenance across different areas.
With Local Government Reorganisation set to introduce changes for Gloucestershire – in which district councils merge to form part of a new unitary structure – borough councillors voted to work more closely with parish councils to develop localised grass-cutting plans. Parishes will be encouraged to take on the responsibility for any grass cutting above and beyond what the other councils already provide.
Cllr Murray Stewart, Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environmental Services, said: “Thank you to everyone who took time to share their feedback when the county council took back the responsibility for grass cutting in the borough. We considered the options available, taking into consideration the concerns about amenity, appearance and safety, as well as comments and praise for the approach to biodiversity during the summer.
“We will now contact parish councils, supporting them to identify grass-cutting requirements in their areas and form bespoke plans for long-term maintenance.”
A press release issued following the 2025/26 budget previously suggested the budget was approved without any reduction to service delivery. However, the borough council’s discretionary ‘top up’ of cuts had been removed.
Notes to editors:
The grass-cutting report can be found on the meeting agenda webpage Grass-cutting report.
The council voted six against, 23 in favour, and three abstentions for Option 2 – Work with and enable parish councils.
Tewkesbury Borough Council supports parish councils to take over responsibility, either by working with Gloucestershire County Council or arranging their own contractors.
Tewkesbury Borough Council provides advice and / or coordination.
