Middlesbrough Council has been accused of “environmental neglect” after a large pavement planter on Marton Road became overgrown with weeds.
Independent Cllr Joan McTigue said the planter, near St Joseph’s RC Church, had previously been renovated by a local resident who gave their “time, money and staff” to improve it.
Cllr McTigue said the work had been welcomed by people living nearby and those passing through the area. She said: “We had residents and passers by thanking them as they worked and all the council had to do was keep it weed free. Take a look at it now and it’s been in that state for almost a year.”
Cllr McTigue, who represents Longlands and Beechwood, said she had raised the condition of the planter with council officers but claimed her complaints had not been addressed.
She also raised wider concerns about communication between councillors and council staff.
“We often wait 15 minutes for calls to be answered, and days or weeks for e-mails to be answered,” she said.
“Communication between senior staff and some councillors is almost non-existent.”
Cllr McTigue also claimed environmental staff had been authorised to work overtime on other projects elsewhere in the borough while the planter remained overgrown.
The council said its public spaces were maintained through a rolling programme.
A council spokesperson said: “We work hard to keep our flowerbeds, planters and verges in good condition, and they are maintained as part of a rolling programme.
“We’re grateful to members of the public and councillors for bringing issues to our attention, and our teams will address any issues as soon as they can.”
