COMMUNITY groups could take on the upkeep of flower beds at Peel Park and Greengates war memorial following a consultation over Bradford Council cutbacks.

The authority is reducing its spending on floral displays by 80 per cent across the district.

In February, the Labour-led Council decided to close its horticultural nursery at Peel Park, Bradford, as part of a range of cuts to services totalling £34 million.

Under the plans, the number of bedding plants on roundabouts, verges and in parks across the district will be reduced from 201,000 to only 40,200.

The results of discussions about six key sites in Bradford East have now been revealed after council officers held a consultation with the Grants Advisory Group (GAG).

Outline proposals to reduce permanent planting at Peel Park were agreed following the talks but the report says there are also continuing discussions about the development of a heritage bed with the Friends of Peel Park.

The Greengates Community Group will work with officers to look to take on the ownership and maintenance of the existing flower beds at Greengates war memorial. This was agreed after its consultation.

At Bolling Hall Museum, plans to reduce the size of flower beds has been adapted. It was also suggested after the consultation to adapt the site's present flower bed to be 'period appropriate' for the location.

At Bowling Cemetery, it was agreed to look at using more permanent planting options.

And at Bradford Industrial Museum in Eccleshill, it was agreed to use permanent planting but the design will be in keeping with the museum's settings.

Further options including the museums providing plants and carrying out the council's future maintenance work have also been suggested.

The flower beds at the Whiteoak Hotel will be removed.

Councillor Imran Ahmed Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend), the Council's portfolio holder for environment, sport and sustainability, said the private sector could also be brought in to help save some of the district's floral displays.

He said: "It seems like there has been some compromises in the consultation.

"We are constantly reviewing things at the moment. There has to be further consultation on this issue.

"We will have to take a look at the new proposals.

"We have got to make savings somewhere due to Government budget cuts.

"In order to save as many flower beds as we can, we might have to get the private sector and community groups to help out."

Bradford Council's Parks and Green Spaces Service has been handed savings targets for this financial year and for 2016/17.

The updated report will go before councillors at the Bradford East Area Committee on Thursday.