Call for action on wildfires in Coventry
Concern about overgrown areas being at risk in hot, dry spells
A call has been made to improve maintenance of green spaces in Coventry because of increased wildfire risks.
The council says it is reviewing where there are high-risk areas that need more regular mowing and the addition of firebreaks, which are deliberate gaps in vegetation to slow or stop the spread of flames.
But it points out that some areas are deliberately left alone for longer to encourage wildflowers, attract bees and other pollinating insects, and improve biodiversity.
Conservative councillor Julia Lepoidevin says green space maintenance has “deteriorated significantly” over the last two years in her Woodlands ward “with the current year being the worst that I have known in my 17 years as a ward councillor.”
She argued the ward included many properties in the most expensive council tax bands, saying: “Residents in Woodlands ward will be among the highest council taxpayers in the city and deserve a much better service than they currently receive.”
Cllr Lepoidevin added: “During this hot summer we have seen an increase in wildfires across the country which puts some areas in Coventry at risk.
“Allesley Green has a vast area of green space that has been allowed to grow significantly, in addition one side of the estate backs on to the Windmill Village golf course. How many areas in the city do we have that are in a similar position? What measures will be taken to reduce the risk of wildfires to protect residents and their properties?”
Cabinet Member for City Services Cllr Patricia Hetherton said: “An investigation into the concerns raised has been undertaken. It was found that some areas identified as poorly maintained were not council-owned land and had been removed from maintenance maps while ownership issues were being resolved.
“Issues identified on council-managed land have been addressed directly and remedies put in place. Some concerns also related to third-party landowners and reinstatement works following utility excavations. Concerns related to grass cutting are being considered alongside a citywide review of funding for grounds maintenance activities.”
She said measures would be undertaken to improve the service, including additional inspections, more training for maintenance teams and making clear what the acceptable standards were.
Cllr Hetherton (Lab, Radford) added: “We recognise the increased wildfire risk during periods of hot, dry weather and are identifying mitigation measures.
“These include reviewing the location of existing sites to ensure that the risks associated with the changing weather conditions are understood. Regularly cut firebreaks adjacent to homes, roads and footpaths, and targeted mowing of higher risk areas is being implemented along with regular monitoring of sites during prolonged periods of hot dry weather.”
But she added that it was council policy not to mow some areas as often, explaining: “There are currently 44 Low Mow sites across the city which are intentionally managed with reduced cutting frequencies to support biodiversity and improve habitats for pollinators and wildlife.”
Cllr Lepoidevin asked if the council would step in to maintain areas where the landowners could not be identified and Cllr Hetherton replied: “Everybody is involved in this, it’s not just us, it’s Citizen Housing and others. There is a real move, rather than to leave everything the way it is, to take control of this. That’s where we are going with it.”