A PENSIONER has branded West Dunbartonshire Council’s excuse for not cutting her hedge as “lame”.

The woman who did not want to be named, lives in Mountblow, and pays £70 a year for the council run Care of Garden Scheme. She stated that every year she gets seven grass cuts and three hedge cuts.

However, when approaching West Dunbartonshire Council for comment they said the scheme allows two hedge cuts, but the council’s website states “The Care of Gardens Scheme covers at least one hedge cut per annum”.

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Speaking last Tuesday, the Mountblow resident said: “The first hedge cut used to be after the Easter holidays, I phoned the council today to find out why mine hadn’t been cut and the lady said it wouldn’t start until the end of June because the birds are nesting in the hedges, so they don’t want to disturb them. But birds have been nesting for thousands of years.

“I’ve lived in Mountblow nearly 40 years and never heard an excuse like it, it’s a lame excuse. We will probably only get one hedge cut this year it’s a disgrace. Most people who use this scheme are pensioners so they can’t go out and do this themselves.

“We used to get it paid for, and when they started charging, a lot of people dropped out, but I think it’s well worth it.”

The Care of Garden scheme is available to both tenants and owner/occupiers, who are in receipt of a state pension.

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And for residents that get a disability benefit or a care service from the Health and Social Care Partnership, the council offers the garden maintenance for free, regardless of age.

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “The Care of Gardens scheme allows two hedge cuts and seven grass cuts.

“Hedge cutting takes place in June and September, with the first cuts currently in progress.”