There have been a number of media reports about cows on the city's commons over the past few days.
The council supports the grazing of cattle on the city’s commons and has no plans to stop grazing.
The cattle provide the most effective management of the grassland, and this contributes to biodiversity. Residents and visitors can be assured they will always see cattle grazing on the city’s commons.
Currently there are four graziers who have around 90 cattle on the city’s commons, for 28 weeks from April to October. The council receives around £4,000 annually in rent and in return the council spends around £28,000 annually on supporting the graziers.
The Pinder staff who check the gates, grids and fences undertake stock counts and check the health of the cattle. However, graziers are responsible for the health and safety of their livestock.
In addition, the council funds a 24-hour pinder service to recover cattle, mostly after falling in the river. This service which costs around £10,000 of the annual budget deals with two to four incidents annually, but often the Fire and Rescue Service assist.
To help design out the problem and costs, the council has introduced a geo (virtual) fence system that keeps cattle away from the river bank, off the footpaths and within defined grazing areas. It enables the graziers to check the whereabouts of their livestock via a mobile phone app.
Budget consultation
The council has committed to making savings of £6 million annually by April 2026 to address a widening deficit, balance the budget and put the council’s finances onto a sustainable financial footing.
The council is currently inviting residents and local organisations to comment on budget choices to reduce the council’s costs and increase its income. The feedback we receive will help inform the difficult budget decisions that have to be made when it comes to the budget setting process in the new year.
Consulting on the out of hours element of the Pinder service
In respect of grazing on the city’s commons, we are only consulting on the out of hours element of the Pinder service.
We are not ending arrangements that allow cows to graze on the commons or ending the weekday Pinder service which checks permissions and keeps the grazing areas safe for cattle.
We are asking “Should the council pass responsibility for funding the out of hours grazing management service to those who are allowed to graze their cattle on the city's commons?”
This question is being asked along with 21 other questions as part of the budget consultation.
It is not straight forward to say how much money any changes to the out of hours element of the Pinder service could save the council. The Government stewardship grant the council receives is not directly related to the Pinder service, and is expected to be withdrawn.
Depending on the feedback we receive through our budget consultation, we would investigate costs and funding options in more detail to help balance our budget.
Cllr Simon Smith, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, said: “We are not proposing to remove the cows from the commons – the question about grazing in our wider public budget consultation relates only to the out of hours element of the service the council provides for the four graziers.
“The graziers in common with others across the country are responsible for the welfare of their livestock, and at a time when the council is under pressure to increase charges or reduce services, we are asking whether it’s right that Cambridge taxpayers subsidise graziers in this way.
“The council must identify £6m of savings from a £71m budget. Whilst our investment in modernising services is delivering substantial savings, we have reached a point where less income means reductions in services or higher fees and charges. There are no easy decisions.
“To help inform our decision making, the council wants to understand more about how and where residents want to see their council tax spent. This is why we want to hear from as many people as possible while our budget consultation is still live. The Pinder service is just one of many services we are consulting on.”
Further information
Historically, a Pinder service would be undertaken by a council to check whether farmers have permission for their cattle grazing on the commons.
In Cambridge, our Pinder has regularly supported farmers by rounding up stray livestock they come across when doing checks of cattle, and ensured that grazing areas are safe during the April to October grazing season.
There are a number of benefits of grazing cattle. It can:
- help maintain diverse habitats, supporting a range of flora and fauna
- provide a low-impact, sustainable way to manage vegetation, reducing the need for mechanical mowing
- contribute to soil health by naturally fertilising the land, aiding in nutrient cycling
- provide a connection to Cambridge’s heritage, with traditional grazing practices stretching back centuries - enriching the character of the commons and maintaining a cultural landscape that is valued by residents and visitors alike
- enhance the commons’ appeal as natural spaces for walking, bird-watching, and relaxation, benefiting physical and mental well-being
- provide a visible learning opportunity about sustainable land management, ecology, and animal husbandry.
