COUNCIL chiefs are being accused of getting their priorities wrong by planting 150,000 bulbs as part of a £5,000 beautification scheme.

The scheme has been launched in a letter to residents from Greenwich Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts.

He is asking people to nominate an open space where the bulbs will be planted.

But Tory councillor Spencer Drury (right) says the scheme is flawed because of cuts to the time Cleansweep workers spend on the streets.

Cleansweep was set up in 2002 to deal with problems such as flytipping and graffiti.

To meet the projected budget at the end of the year, the council intends to reduce workers' overtime from Cleansweep.

According to Cllr Drury, who represents Eltham North, the restrictions will see the borough getting dirtier.

He claims there is no point in planting 150,000 bulbs in areas which need cleaning up first.

Cllr Drury said: "The bulbs are just a sticky plaster on under-funding of our green spaces. We need more street cleaners, regular weeding and drains cleared twice a year."

He has been joined in his criticism by residents who claim Cleansweep is already providing a poor service.

Graeme Coombes, of Master Gunners Place, Greenwich, said: "I have written to Cleansweep to complain about mattresses left lying around and old cookers dumped outside my flat but nothing has been done.

"If I nominate the grass outside my flat for bulb planting at least it'll hide the weeds."

Woolwich Common Estate resident Franciso Muller 42, said: "Planting the bulbs to make the place look nice does not mean they are going to raise standards of cleaning which is the first thing they should achieve before anything else."

Cabinet member for environment and public services Alex Grant said: "Our responsibility is to provide good services while keeping within our budgets."