Councillors who demanded more cuts of overgrown grass verges and rights of way in Carmarthenshire will be told how much it would cost before any decisions are made.

The cabinet member responsible for finance has warned against using money held in reserves though.

Full council passed a motion in the summer calling for two annual cuts of verges, roundabouts, and public rights of way as a minimum rather than the current one cut per year.

The motion said there were widespread concerns about their overgrown state and that two people couldn’t walk side-by-side on many popular paths.

It added: “Carmarthenshire has some of the most beautiful landscapes and backdrops in Wales and encourages holidaymakers and visitors alike to visit but this unchecked growth can only have a negative visitor experience, including making roadside signage difficult to read, which will have a detrimental effect to the tourist industry we promote and want to grow.”

The motion asked cabinet to examine ways of funding it even if it meant using reserves.

A cabinet meeting on October 19 heard a previous decision to reduce the annual cuts to one was made by full council on financial grounds.

Cllr Alun Lenny, cabinet member for resources, said he appreciated the reason for the motion but said it would be very difficult to see where any additional funding would come from.

And he cautioned against using money in reserves as some of it might have to be deployed to support council services which, he said, faced an estimated £11m overspend for the 2026-27 financial year. Savings of £12m “at least” were being earmarked, he added, to try to balance the council’s books.

Cllr Lenny recommended asking the relevant department to provide a cost of a second grass cut so that councillors could weigh it up against other budget pressures.

“The original decision was approved by full council and it will be up to the council to discuss if they want to reverse it or not,” he said.

Cabinet approved the recommendation.