A TOWN councillor threatened to resign from a maintenance committee over a row about grass cutting in Princes Risborough saying “there is nothing illegal about cutting a piece of grass.”.

Cllr Gary Hall, who is chairman of the town and lighting committee which deals with the town's general maintenance, said he could not carry on as chairman if the problem of grass not being cut continued.

Fellow councillors on Princes Risborough Town Council convinced him to delay his resignation while they talk to Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) about improving the service and suggested a voluntary group of councillors cut areas of grass missed by BCC.

BCC is responsible for the majority of the grass cutting in Princes Risborough but the town council's maintenance team cuts some areas.

Cllr Hall requested the maintenance team cut untidy areas after he has recieved complaints from residents but other councillors raised concerns about double taxation, as residents pay BCC to carry out their duties and the town council a separate precept.

Head of the finance committee Reg Orsler said: “I have every sympathy with what Gary is saying. The standard of services from the county and the district is not what we strive to do as a town council.

“But we are dealing with public money and the public should not pay twice for a service.”

The council's auditor has raised concerns about the “inappropriate use of town monies” and said it should not carry out duties which were the Highways responsibility.

Cllr Hall said: “There should be an element here of challenge. Who is calling the shots here the auditors of the elected people?

“I will go in front of Judge Tyrer at Aylesbury Crown Court for the heinous crime of cutting a piece of grass.”

He added: “There is nothing illegal about cutting a piece of grass.”

Councillors met with area manager south for BCC's transport department, Eric Meek, last week who agreed to address the problem.

BCC has also agreed to transfer some maintenance duties to the town council and pay it £15,000.

BCC is not prepared to transfer grass cutting duties as it costs the county council 0.01 pence per square metre to cut the grass which is “financially more beneficial and more cost-effective.”

Mr Meek said BCC intend to cut grass up to 13 times between April and the end of October.

He added if there are any areas residents are concerned about they should contact 0845 230 2882.