COUNCILLORS have agreed where massive cuts should fall on flowerbeds in Steeton, Silsden and Addingham.

Planting methods will be changed in the three communities, along with many others, to save money.

Keighley Area Committee made the decisions after looking at how it could make an 80 per cent saving ordered by Bradford Council.

Committee members last month approved a series of changes to specific flowerbeds following consultation with councillors, community groups and local organisations.

The main change will be to introduce permanent planting, allowing flowers to bloom throughout the year in each bed and avoiding the need for staff to plant flowers twice a year.

The changes will be brought in over two winter periods to save money and the hope is that special interest groups and ‘friends of the flowers’ groups will help with regular maintenance.

The number of plants for the Keighley constituency, which includes parts of South Craven, was cut from the current level of 87,500 to 17,500 in future years.

Steeton and Silsden Memorial Gardens are likely to have 80/20 split of permanent/bedding plants, while flowerbeds at Silsden Park could be reduced.

Politicians including Cllr Adrian Naylor, who sits on both Bradford and Silsden councils, warned that the cuts could see parks, villages and town centres bereft of colour.

He warned that parish councils and community groups would be expected to pick up the costs of buying, planting and maintaining flowers in their areas.