Changes to Garden Aid Service

From 1 April 2025, garden support will be offered to households who need it most.

New eligibility criteria will be introduced for Falkirk Council’s Garden Aid Service, following a decision by Falkirk’s Integration Joint Board.

The Board, which plans local health and social care services, currently contributes £275,000 of the £489,000 annual budget for the Garden Aid Service. The remainder of the budget is met by housing revenue from Falkirk Council tenancies.

At its meeting on Friday 27 September, members of the Board agreed to extend weed control support and introduce eligibility criteria for the garden aid service, which is currently available for free to anyone receiving support from social care or social work services.

Taking effect from April 2025, the service will be available to households which receive community care support and either a council tax reduction due to low household income or a council tax exemption due to severe mental impairment.

For these eligible households, grass will be cut every two weeks between April and October, hedges cut twice annually, and new weed control measures three times a year for council properties which feature decorative stones instead of grass or hedges following the refurbishment programme.

It is estimated the changes to the garden aid scheme will relieve £217,000 from the budget for health and social care services.

Fiona Collie, Integration Joint Board Chair, said: “It is our duty to appropriately manage the budget available for local health and social care services.

“Whilst without doubt a difficult decision, a pragmatic approach has been taken by our Board members to ensure good use of public resources and to target support to those who need it most in our communities.

“Before changes come into effect in April 2025, I would encourage residents to check whether their household meets the criteria for any council tax reduction which they may not currently be receiving.

“Where households find they are eligible, the council tax reduction can be applied in arrears, and they will continue to receive garden aid as usual. All other households currently receiving garden aid will be provided information about alternative local support options which may suit them.”

Falkirk Council will write to households receiving garden aid ahead of implementing the introduction of the new eligibility criteria from 1 April 2025. This communication will outline the change of criteria, explain the process for applying for a Council Tax Reduction, and advise of alternative support options which may be suitable.

The full report presented to the Integration Joint Board on Friday 27 September can be found on the Falkirk Council committee pages.