'Slow mow' down to staff shortages, says West Norfolk Council
A staff shortage is to blame for overgrown grass around West Norfolk, according to council leaders.
Borough chiefs say they are having major problems recruiting seasonal staff to carry out the work, leading to complaints over the height of grass in some areas.
And officials are even having to look at alternative methods of employment to tackle the problem.
The issue was raised at West Norfolk Council’s meeting on Thursday, when Fairstead representative Margaret Wilkinson said she had never seen the grass look so “neglected.”
She said that it was so high it was even covering cement bollards in some places, adding: “I feel this is now an accident waiting to happen.
“I’d like some reassurance about why we’re in such a state.”
Deputy leader Elizabeth Nockolds said: “We’re very very short of staff. It’s not because we’ve cut but we can’t get seasonal workers. We’ve had a real problem getting people willing to do that kind of work.
“We are doing our utmost. We have offered overtime and eventually I’m hoping it will improve in the next two weeks.”
Mrs Nockolds said the problem was so severe human resources officials were looking at different ways of employing staff so sufficient numbers could be recruited.
She added that some Lynn-based workers were having to work in other parts of the borough as well because of the lack of resources.