COMMUNITIES will be asked to take back responsibility – and funding – for some areas of maintenance from the County Council.

A plan for ‘Community Delivery’ was discussed at cabinet this week (July 2) and it would see work such as grass cutting,  maintaining play parks, open spaces and other non-statutory services put back into residents’ hands.

Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “We would be looking at the portfolio of assets with pockets of land and working with communities to see if they could take on some of the responsibility and also draw down grant funding not available to us as an authority.”

He added that it was not about “transferring the costs” and giving away the assets but ensure areas are better maintained in difficult financial conditions.

A plan of delivery will be drawn up and discussions held with all Town and Community Councils with assets in their area as well as other community groups.

A report to cabinet noted that there was potential for the ‘Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant’ fund to be suitable for projects.

It was agreed that the new approach would be endorsed and monitored by the Strategic Assets Management Group.

The recommendation from officers added: “Subject to confirmation of an agreed project time frame, if Community Delivery is not implemented, land will be placed into a state of minimal safety maintenance only or the asset considered for disposal.”