COUNCIL tenants fear that new plants on estates around Brighton and Hove are being left to wither because officials didn’t think about how they would be watered.

And tenants and leaseholders’ representatives were also worried that they would be unfairly landed with big water bills.

Recent wet weather and relatively few hot spells have helped but reps were concerned that there was still no satisfactory sustainable solution for the future.

The problem was raised at a Brighton and Hove City Council housing panel on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting papers for the panel said: “Concern was raised regarding watering arrangements for planting provided on estates. This would become increasingly necessary during the summer months.

“This needed to be able to be carried out safely and the risk of theft or vandalism of equipment minimised.

“It was agreed that this should not involve costs to tenants, ie, on their water bill.”

At blocks of flats, the council was looking to provide water butts or secure external taps, in lockable cage to protect against vandalism.

Reps were keen that these should be as close as possible to where watering would take place.

Housing officials pledged to update tenant and leaseholder reps by the end of next week and hoped to come up with workable solutions by the end of next month.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.