A MORE streamlined approach will be taken to maintaining green sites after a report found weaknesses in the system.

An Environment Scrutiny Panel was asked to come up with strengths and weaknesses of Middlesbrough Borough Council's green budget, which is spent on areas including grounds maintenance and street cleaning.

The panel decided to conduct its review under the headings of leisure, housing estates, open spaces, education, economic development and transportation and highways.

It noted that over the past ten years, there have been reductions in standards due to cutbacks amounting to £1.3m.

In its report, the panel outlines the need for a corporate landlord approach