COUNCIL officials have discussed plans for ‘Supporting Our Pollinators’ in Argyll and Bute, but some concerns have been expressed.
The authority is set to undergo a pilot project to encourage “a more wildlife-friendly environment” in the area, allowing grassland areas to host wildflowers and other plants.
A list of 24 sites across Argyll and Bute to take part in the initial project was published in a report, with a further update being given to councillors in September.
But proposals to replace some annual beds with herbaceous plants were met with concern by one councillor, while another said it sounded like “a good excuse” for the council not to cut some grass areas.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the authority’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, December 18.
Councillor Alastair Redman (Independent, Kintyre and the Islands) said: “It sounds like a good excuse for the council not to cut grass verges. I am not sure it increases the bee pollination.
“At the end of the day, we cut grass verges at the side of the road for safety, and I do feel it would lead to more lack of maintenance, which is the last thing we want.”
Tom Murphy, the council’s operations manager, responded: “This project is not about a lack of maintenance, and it is important to get the communication strategy out so that it is not viewed as such.
“It is to increase pollinators, which will be a pilot this year, and I am looking to return to this committee with a more strategic view on how we plan to encourage pollinators.”
Councillor Peter Wallace (Conservative, Isle of Bute) then said: “I am slightly concerned at the mention of possibly changing annual beds to herbaceous planting.
“It is important that while we look at this, we also acknowledge the positive contribution that the annual bedding does play.”
Mr Murphy said: “I acknowledge that totally, but we have a number of beds which can create high maintenance, but at the same time carry a high carbon element, in planting the plants and all the maintenance that goes with it.
“I can assure the committee that herbaceous planting schemes, properly planned, can have as wonderful an impact as floral bedding plants.”
Councillor Luna Martin (Green, Oban North and Lorn) then said: “I did not want to see road verges as an area with grass overgrowing, because one problem apart from dog waste and rubbish is that it could grow on to the roads.
“I think the areas set out are fantastic. If it reassures Councillor Redman, as his concerns will be the concerns of many, it is not a case of letting it grow wild.
“These are proposed areas where we may have separate areas allowing wildflowers to grow, or possibly herbaceous ones.
“We had a couple of issues with quality, and have done for a number of years now, as they are so hard to maintain.
“I know there have been issues on Bute with some plants and asked about herbaceous beds. The response was that plants like lavender will not be dull, unattractive borders. What do you mean by this, and how will they be beneficial?”
Mr Murphy said: “We have been looking to design proposed herbaceous borders around floral displays. Herbaceous will come again each year and become more prominent after three to four years.
“The other saving is that we do not have the carbon element, running around with summer bedding plants. I understand we can then have plants that are fantastic, but the quality of summer bedding plants we have purchased has not been the greatest standard.”
Councillor Wallace added: “I still have concerns about the potential to remove some of the bedding in future, so I would like an additional point in to acknowledge the positive impact from annual bedding plants.
“To change all bedding to herbaceous plants would completely change the nature of how they appear.”
