COUNCILLORS refused to support proposals for cuts to Newport's flower nurseries and community warden services.

A report detailing proposals for the budget consultation 2011/12 were discussed by members of Newport’s environment and community safety overview and scrutiny forum at a meeting earlier this week.

Included in the report are proposals to making efficiency savings by cutting the number of flower nurseries in the city to one.

The meeting heard that Newport currently has two nurseries, one at Belle Vue Park and the other at Tredegar House, but the Belle Vue site needed further investment to bring it up to standard, including a new greenhouse.

There are three people working between the two sites, with a seasonal staff member employed during the summer months.

The proposals also include a "substantial reduction" of floral displays around the city in the summer months and a reduction in bedding plants and would save £271,000 over the next two financial years.

Cllr Ray Truman said: "We are trying to get investment in the city centre. Speaking as an ex-mayor, everywhere I went people were talking about our floral displays and how good they were and how they uplifted people. If there was ever a time when people needed uplifting it's now."

Reviewing the current provision of warden services and the possibility of amalgamating them with other elements of 'StreetScene' and other services with a high visibility and presence around the city is another proposal included in the report.

The meeting heard there are currently 19 full time wardens operating different shift patterns in locations across the city.

The report states that the intention is to keep the remaining service in high priority areas, but other areas would have a different level of service, provided in a different way, saving around £389,000.

Cllr Morris said: "We are being asked to make comments and vote on things that have huge implications and that is absolutely appalling. We are talking about people's livelihoods."

The committee voted against the recommendations and asked for more information on the proposals.