APPROVAL has been given to the annual grant request for the grass cutting and maintenance of Lanteglos Church, near Camelford, but town councillors decided to retain a proportion of the money to pay for hedge cutting along Victoria Road.

Each year a grant request is submitted by the parish church towards the maintenance and grass cutting.

At the recent town council meeting, mayor Cllr Rob Rotchell told councillors that the money is budgeted for this by the council each year, but the church still has to ask for it.

During the discussion, Cllr Philip Lessels said: “For many years we’ve had concerns about St Thomas and the hedge going up Victoria Road.”

He said there have been a number of complaints made by people, but the church has said it is not its responsibility.

“So I think it’s time we put this issue to bed. We hold a certain amount of that £1,000 in order to do the maintenance on that Victoria Road hedge.”

Although it was noted by Cllr Shirley Goodman that someone had cut the hedge, Cllr Claire Hewlett said it needed to ‘be cut neatly with a hedge trimmer.’

Cllr Rotchell, who felt it would take more than a hedge trimmer to carry out the job, said the works needed to be done in the new year before nesting time.

Cllr Andy Shaw said January would be he best time, as there would be less pedestrians around and it would encourage more growth straight away.

Cllr Rotchell said it was his personal view that the council should take responsibility for the hedge and adjust the grant accordingly.

Councillors debated the amount to keep back, and a proposal was made to award a grant of £1,000, but retain £250 for a severe cut of the hedge. The council would then review the grant in considerations for next year’s precept.

All councillors voted in favour.