A NORTH-WEST Glasgow councillor is fighting to help restore a service that helps thousands of elderly people across the city maintain their gardens after it was scrapped.

Labour councillor Bill Butler said “13,000 vulnerable  households across the city have been let down” because of Glasgow City Council stopping the service – and pledged that he would not “let this lie”.

On Tuesday, August 10, the council said there are no plans to resume the Assisted House Garden Maintenance Scheme, which was suspended during the pandemic last year. 

Councillor Butler, who represents the Garscadden and Scotstounhill ward, said residents in their 80s and 90s have been told there is no longer help available to tidy their green spaces.

He said: “The scheme made it possible for folk to enjoy their garden.

"It delivered an essential service to the most vulnerable households.

"It cost £1.4 million annually and was money well spent.

"We are not prepared to let this lie.

"It is an important issue and has widespread support across the city.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “A garden maintenance service has always been in addition to the standard services provided by the council.

“Many other councils have either scrapped their garden maintenance service or often charge householders an annual fee for the gardening work undertaken.

“In 2018 a review of the service by Glasgow health and social care partnership led to funding being withdrawn and it was concluded that supporting gardening work was not a core health and social care service.”

He added: “Efforts to identify a sustainable, alternative source of finance proved to be unsuccessful and with the city entering the covid lockdown last year, a decision to suspend the service was taken.

“The council continues to experience significant financial challenges and at this stage we have no plans to resume this particular service.

“We are currently looking at other options where assistance could be offered to those who have no recourse to any other kind of gardening support such as from family members or a housing association.”