Councillors have criticised a decision to plough thousands of extra pounds into grass cutting while other services are being trimmed.

Lib Dems on West Sussex County Council could mow down plans to pump £380,000 extra into West Sussex County Council's grass cutting budget due to be rubber stamped on Friday.

They say the money, which would be used to trim grass verges in residential areas across West Sussex 11 times a year, could be better spent.

Coun Morwen Millson, leader of the Lib Dem group and a former chairman of Highways and Transport on the council said elderly people and carers would benefit from the cash.

Grass cutting is the only area of the council's budget which is being given extra cash for 2006/7 and many services are being slashed to save money.

Coun Millson said she has "reservations" about the proposals to increase the grass cutting budget.

She said: "I am well aware many people in the county like to see our grass verges looking neat and that more cuts may be desirable."

"However, grass cutting is only a highways responsibility in so far as to maintain road safety. I would certainly like to hear from people to find out if that's what they want money spent on."

The Lib-Dem group believe five cuts per year is enough to maintain safety for motorists and not the seven cuts currently being done or the 11 planned.

She suggested the money could be spent on carers instead: "There are carers in the county who rarely have a break from their caring responsibilities.

"There are parents who have not had an unbroken night's sleep for years because their children's disabilities include sleep disruption."

County council highway boss Coun Tex Pemberton said global warming was one of the reasons why grass needs trimming more.

He said: "Last year I, and many of my colleagues, had an unprecedented number of complaints from members of the public about the state of grass verges.

"It is important to keep the street scene tidy. One thing I am keen to do is to give people visible results for their money. To show them what we are spending it on.

"If we are to take global warming seriously this is the kind of thing we have to adjust to counter it."

The county council is facing a difficult financial year. It is due to rubber stamp a 4.9 per cent increase in its portion of the council tax for 2006/7.

Leader Henry Smith admitted a number of services would face cuts and that jobs would be shed from its Chichester headquarters.

Coun Millson wants to hear from people on the grass cutting. She will base her vote at Friday's budget meeting on the feedback.

Coun Millson can be contacted at morwen.millson@westsussex.gov.uk Tell us how you think the money should be spent - email news@theargus.co.uk