The council "shouldn't be forcing" No Mow May on residents if they do not want it, one councillor has said.

Over the last two years Warwick District Council (WDC) has taken part in the nationwide initiative, leaving some verges and roadsides uncut throughout the month of May in a bid to boost biodiversity.

The first year was met with a series of problems, with many verges not being attended to for weeks after the end of the month, and many residents complaining and nicknaming the scheme 'Jungle June' and 'Grow it High July'.

In 2024, there were fewer issues and this year the local authority has only selected certain verges and green spaces to take part.

Contractors idverde will continue to mow a 1m strip at the edge of the chosen verges throughout May and councillors are being given the opportunity to suggest areas in their wards which should be excluded from the scheme.

But speaking at last night's (March 20) full council meeting, Cllr Jan Matecki said local councils should be given a say on where in their parishes should and should not be included in No Mow May.

No Mow May will return to Warwick district for 2025 (image via Warwick District Council)

"We have to learn from what has gone on," he said. 

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"It has been going on for a few years and residents aren't really happy. 

"We shouldn't be forcing it on them. 

"Not only should we have a mechanism for ward councillors to do that, I believe there should be a mechanism where our parish and town councils should be able to say 'we don't want the whole parish or village done'."

Cllr Matecki also said he was "very disappointed" that a Labour-led motion to let residents ask for verges near their homes to be excluded from No Mow May was withdrawn before the meeting.

The motion was due to be presented by All Saints & Woodloes Councillors Paul and Claire Wightman, but was pulled as it was agreed ward councillors would be given until March 31 to provide feedback to WDC on their patches.

Cllr Will Roberts explained: "When a reasoned request is made by a ward councillor, that request will be accommodated, whether it is to exclude or include an area. 

"As you know No Mow May is now an important part of our biodiversity action programme. 

"A key focus is in our wildlife bird trial and developing our meadow areas and our parks."

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He added: "I do appreciate that in some areas, the conversation about No Mow May is tougher than others, and it is about finding the right balance."

Details of where is being included in No Mow May will be made available on the Warwick District Council website within the next month.

In addition, the council has identified specific grass verges to trial for improving roadside biodiversity. 

This initiative, called the 'Wildflower Verge Trial', will involve reducing the mowing frequency to once per year and removing the grass cuttings, where appropriate, to prevent nutrient enrichment.

The council will monitor these verges throughout the trial to assess the need for wildflower seeding and plan to conduct species surveys to gauge the success of the trial. 

Officers aim to collaborate with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and engage residents in the surveys and seeding efforts.