Warwick District Council is to "keep going with" No Mow May despite cross-party concerns being raised over its implementation. 

That was the vow from Cllr Will Roberts, the district's portfolio holder for neighbourhood, last week in the face of questions from councillors who have received complaints.

No Mow May is a national initiative where councils do not cut grassed areas in order to encourage the growth of plants and wildflowers and create better habitats for insects.

Last year's maiden effort, which saw grass cutting in all areas suspended with the exception of cemeteries, sports pitches, premier parks and grass paths, resulted in a backlash, including feedback on which areas were suitable, highway safety but mostly about delays to cutting once June came around. 

In October 2023, a manager involved in the service admitted the council's efforts were "probably too ambitious" with the scheme tweaked for 2024. 

Cllr Roberts reported that there had been "around 4,000 responses" to the council's online survey about this year's endeavours. It will inform the review taking place in August which will be reported to councillors in September, but that did not stop the questions. 

Cllr Claire Wightman said: "Some of my ward residents have raised concern that areas were not cut until five weeks after the resumption of mowing. For them, therefore, the initiative ran into July. 

"They have also raised concern that the original agreed and documented annual number of mows will now not take place."

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Cllr Roberts referred to the norm being three-week cycles and that the council had hoped to catch up by the end of June.

"Unfortunately, the mowing team was slowed down by poor weather and staff absences which meant mowing was completed on July 7," he said. 

"That is a great improvement on last year but I agree, that is still too long. I have already spoken to people who are supportive of No Mow May but find a four-week cutting period too long. 

"I have already told the contract service manager that as part of our review, we need to work out how best to shorten this cutting time.

"Taking part in No Mow May is not meant to reduce the number of cuts residents have grown to expect. However, the changing climate does mean mowing has started later than anticipated this year due to wet weather. 

"That changing climate might mean we are able to continue mowing later into the year than we traditionally do, so we will be reviewing the number of contractual cuts that (contractor) Idverde is able to realistically do. This may result in a reduction in some areas where this is considered viable."

He also noted "several requests for areas to be removed, as well as suggestions about where to increase our meadowing", a thread that was later picked up by Cllr Jan Matecki.

"I have had a lot of complaints that it is not going as well as it could. I have also had a request from a parish council to opt out," he said. 

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"Will parishes be able to opt out in future?"

Cllr Roberts reiterated that would form part of the review and added: "Whether it is a parish or a local green, we have to do it on a case-by-case basis. 

"I am very happy for anyone to ask that question – and it may not be a whole area opting out, there may be particular areas which are causing issues and we can look at that. 

"We are happy to work with anyone on No Mow May because we are going to keep going with it but we want to make it better for everyone. It is about finding that right balance but I will end by saying, we must remember nature is not neat."