CHANGES to the way trees, parks and streets are looked after in North Somerset will come into force next year – and the council wants your opinion.

North Somerset Council’s budget to look after parks, streets and trees across the district will be pruned by 30 per cent – a cut of �735,000.

And with the changes due to come into force in April 2013 the authority wants members of the public to comment on the proposals before May 25, when the consultation period ends.

Under the new proposal, grounds, trees and street cleansing will all be rolled into one contract which the council says will make it ‘more efficient’ by reducing overheads, attracting the best rates and streamlining the tasks.

The council’s plans will see it react to the residents’ concerns on a needs basis as opposed to carrying out routine tasks, while more inspections will be carried out.

Areas and roads will still be maintained and cleaned, but at different frequencies and now dependent on need.

A council spokesman said: “The contract will be designed to safeguard the parks and street scene infrastructure for the future – it’s about focusing on the basics and getting them right.”

To register your views on the changes, go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/streetscene2012 or write to Parks and Streetscene Contract 2012, North Somerset Council, Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon, BS23 6FW.