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03
Jul 2021
Covid outbreak set back council's grass cutting in Ripon
A covid outbreak that affected employees of Harrogate Borough Council meant grass cutting at Ripon Cemetery and other maintenance work fell behind, a councillor has said.
At a full Ripon City Council meeting, Cllr Mike Chambers - HBC's cabinet member for homes and safer communities - said:
A major tidy-up has taken place at the Kirkby Road cemetery and there is also evidence of grass cutting, tree and hedge trimming in other parts of the city.
The activity, which is ongoing, follows a Stray Ferret story in which mourners spoke out about the poor condition of the cemetery.
There are also lingering concerns about residential areas of Ripon where public spaces have became overgrown.
Cllr Chris Hardisty said:
Fellow independent city councillor Sid Hawke, who is also a district councillor, pointed out:
Councillors agreed to write to HBC seeking assurances that work on the cemetery and other parts of the Ripon will be maintained throughout the growing season.
Should there be staffing issues, the council says outside contractors should be employed to carry out the works.
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In response to criticism levelled at it about the cemetery, last month HBC issued a statement, which said:
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