It’s
not all Bloom and Gloom for 2012
Bestwood and Basford district council plans to keep
Nottingham at the forefront of the Britain in Bloom campaign despite the budget
being almost halved compared to previous years.
In previous years the “Spectacolour” budget (provided
by Nottingham City Council) for the Bestwood and Basford Ward has been £10,000.
However after cuts made last year, the total budget now stands at only £5,700.
The current budget will provide for thirty six
barrier baskets, to be displayed during the summer, and ten floor planters to
contain flowers all year round. The local council may allocate further funds
from their own budget for additional displays, but in tough economic times it
is unlikely that this will amount to much.
The council still plans to stay ahead of the
competition by using more cost-efficient sources of plants and encouraging
greater public involvement. The council’s Nursery Manager has been buying
plants at the cheapest possible cost, by growing seedlings in order to avoid
purchasing fully grown plants.
The council also hopes to encourage members of the
public to get involved through community engagement campaigns which have proved
hugely successful in previous years. The plans involve getting schools and
community groups to make use of spare planters and utilise green spaces in the
area, as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s “It’s Your Neighbourhood”
Campaign.
Such campaigns have proved hugely successful in
previous years, with both Heathfield and Vernon Parks honoured with Green Flag
Awards for being the finest parks and green areas in the UK.
Nottingham has remained at the forefront of Britain’s
Neighbourhood in Bloom campaigns and has big plans for 2012 despite the budget
cuts.
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