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The Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee, which checks the council's housing and environment services, agreed its work programme, which sets out the topics it will look at next. It then considered the report of the Grass Cutting and Weed Control Task and Finish Group, a small group of councillors set up to look at one issue in depth. The Committee agreed ten points on the group's findings, including a further update in September.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bryan Apsley, Carrie Harper and Ron Prince.
Decision as recorded
AGREED - That the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/38/25 which allowed the Committee to consider the revised work programme of the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced his report and highlighted the main points for consideration within the report. AGREED - That the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That Options to address weeds in play areas, using the most appropriate technology, be explored by the Environment Department. (ii) That a press release be issued that a new chemical free moss killer is being used in public parks and play areas. (iii) That Members be updated on the results of the land ownership exercise, once it has been completed. This to also include details of the responsibility for footways. (iv) That the weed spraying plan referenced in the draft SLA be shared with Members once it has been agreed. (v) That better communication be undertaken both between the Environment and Housing Departments and with the public with regard to grass and hedge cutting and weed spraying. (vi) That the Committee are reassured that with the work outlined, the issues experienced in the previous growing season will not be repeated (vii) To support the amx mapping of routes for quad bikes that are carrying out weed spraying. (viii) That data arising from this mapping be shared with Members. (ix) That the previous system of Member/Public notification of grass cuts and weed spraying be re-introduced. (x) That a further update on progress in delivering Grass Cutting and Weed Control be considered at the September meeting.
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The Chair of the Grass Cutting and Weed Task and Finish Group submitted a report COGC/29/25 which allowed the Committee to consider the conclusions and recommendation of the Task & Finish Group. The Chair of the Task and Finish Group introduced her report highlighting the main points for discussion. The Lead Member for Environment and the Lead Member for Housing also responded to questions accordingly, thereafter. During the ensuing debate a number of issues were highlighted, including: · Recognition that the review had been useful in terms of identifying issues which needed to be addressed. It was acknowledged that Officers had worked hard behind the scenes in making changes which had led to an improvement in overall standards. · Ongoing work, such as land mapping and identification of the responsible Departments of Council owned land, would continue within both the Housing and Environment Department to ensure improvements continued. · It was noted that environmental factors such as the weather were difficult to mitigate against and that the period questioned by the Group had been a time of exceptional rainfall. · Additional funding had been agreed to support continued improvements in the Environment Department. However, due to the competing demands and priorities within departments i.e. fly tipping, recycling etc., resources would always be stretched. · The monitoring of weed spraying remained a challenge and Officers confirmed that this was a labour intensive task. It was noted that future digitisation of this process was being considered and this would allow for the mapping of planned work and progress against it, in real time. This will allow for issues to be addressed as soon as they become apparent. · Local Members were encouraged to report areas that required weed spraying. · Confirmation that the quad bikes for weed spraying were currently leased, but they would soon be replaced by purchased ones. The procurement process was lengthy and the cost of purchase reduced following a period of lease. AGREED – (i) That Options to address weeds in play areas, using the most appropriate technology, be explored by the Environment Department. (ii) That a press release be issued that a new chemical free moss killer is being used in public parks and play areas. (iii) That Members be updated on the results of the land ownership exercise, once it has been completed. This to also include details of the responsibility for footways. (iv) That the weed spraying plan referenced in the draft SLA be shared with Members once it has been agreed. (v) That better communication be undertaken both between the Environment and Housing Departments and with the public with regard to grass and hedge cutting and weed spraying. (vi) That the Committee are reassured that with the work outlined, the issues experienced in the previous growing season will not be repeated (vii) To support the amx mapping of routes for quad bikes that are carrying out weed spraying. (viii) That data arising from this mapping be shared with Members. (ix) That the previous system of Member/Public notification of grass cuts and weed spraying be re-introduced. (x) That a further update on progress in delivering Grass Cutting and Weed Control be considered at the September meeting.