While councils watched their flocks by night

Posted by Nirmalee Wanduragala, NLGN on December 14th, 2009

Seeing a recent news article on Brighton and Hove Council’s flock of sheep prompted discussion in NLGN offices, with me advocating the case for more councils to have sheep – and other livestock.

It’s not quite the strange idea it at first appears to be. The idea behind the sheep in Brighton is that they will replace lawnmowers as part of the council plan to help wildlife, used to mow the grass. They will be tended by lookerers – otherwise known as urban shepherds. An extra cost? No – after advertising for volunteer shepherds, the council was inundated with volunteers, so much so they have a waiting list to be a shepherd.

So – it’s green and helps build a sense of community. All very nice – but in tightened economic times, is livestock an unaffordable luxury for councils?

In Brighton, the sheep are on loan from local farms, so help support local farmers. In Bristol Council they are introducing the Bristol Beef project. The council cows will be used to give local schools locally produced and organic meat under the healthy school meals programme. The council already markets organic venison and the council’s beef could also be sold to high end restaurants in the city. This could be extended to meat provision for hospitals, care homes and council canteens.

However the most appealing fact for councils faced with an ever tightening budget and with a reasonable amount of green space – the sheep will save Brighton & Hove around £22,000 per year.

Who knows, next year your unwanted Christmas present could be knitted from council sheep wool.


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