DIRECTOR DECISION
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Decision Title: Weed Management of Highways and Associated Areas – Pilot wards |
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Type of Decision: Director Key |
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Non-Key |
Y |
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Portfolio Area that decision relates to: |
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Leader (in Policy & S&P) |
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Finance & Performance |
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Deputy Leader & Transport |
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Culture, Leisure & Comm |
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Environment & Climate C |
x |
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Children & Young P & Edui |
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Economy & Strategic Plan |
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Health Adult Social Care |
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Housing & Safety Neigh |
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Background:
At the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change meeting on 12th January 2022 and subsequent call-in session, it was agreed that for the next two years the Council would: · Continue to spray around obstacles in verges e.g. lampposts, street signs, trees, around communal drying areas and some parks and garden path edges. · Continue to spray kerbs, footpaths / pavement joints, wall bottoms and back lanes, the bar walls upper footpath, bridges and supporting structures. This takes place 3 times a year - April, July and September (subject to weather conditions)
The Executive member also committed the Council to working with a range of third parties (e.g. PAN, Defra etc) to test alternative methods and approaches during 2022.
A concession was made by the Executive Member at the call in to let wards self select to trial a strim rather than a week killing spray around obstacles and to opt out of the third and final spray of the highway.
As part of this process in early March all ward councillors were written to and asked if they wished to take place in a reduce spraying regime for their ward. Members were asked to respond by 30th March 2022 to indicate if they wanted their ward to be considered for the Weed Pilot.
The following responses had been received:
Options and analysis The principal options are : a) Agree to all of the requests listed in the table above b) Reject the suggested requests listed in the table above and only approve those wards that have outlined a ‘whole ward’ approach
Other considerations The contract for the highway weed treatment has been let for 2022 and 2023. The contractor has been informed of the proposals being considered by Ward Councillors and the possibility of Pilot wards. In addition, Public Realm teams have commenced spraying in wards who have not put themselves forward as a Pilot ward but will need to commence on strimming activities over the coming weeks.
A non standard approach with specific areas excluded from spraying is more complicated for the contractor to deliver and the risk of mistakes through human error much greater. However, this is a trial pilot and therefore on the basis that lessons are to be learnt there is benefit to accepting these limited and constrained variations. If they were more complex the recommendation would not be to approve, but on the basis they are relatively easily defined they can be added to the trial.
This proposal supports and contributes to the following Council Plan priority - a greener and cleaner city.
In compliance with the Council’s risk management strategy the main risks that have been identified in this report are that a decision is not made on a proposed weed treatment option which could in turn damage the Council’s image and reputation. A reduced weed treatment regime could result in increased complaints, but the Ward Councillors have requested these changes.
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Implications: Crime & Disorder |
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Equalities |
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Other: |
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Human Resources |
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Legal |
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Highways |
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Financial |
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ITT |
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Property |
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Decision Date: |
18 May 2022 |
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Wards Affected: |
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All Wards |
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Fishergate
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X |
Holgate |
X |
Rural West York |
X |
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Acomb |
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Fulford & Heslington |
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Hull Road |
X |
Strensall |
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Bishopthorpe
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Guildhall |
X |
Huntington & New Earswick |
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Westfield |
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Clifton |
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Haxby & Wigginton |
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Micklegate
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X |
Wheldrake |
X |
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Copmanthorpe
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Heworth |
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Osbaldwick & Derwent |
X |
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Dringhouses & Woodthorpe |
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Heworth Without |
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Rawcliffe & Clifton |
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Decision:
Approve the request of ward councillors for their wards to:-
a) replace spraying with single strim around highway obstacles by Public Realm teams and b) not receive one highway weed treatment spray as undertaken by Contractors (i.e. the third and final spray of the season). c) exclude sections from any spraying at all
Reason: To test out difference approaches to weed management with a view to reporting results back following the Pilot
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Decision Made
by: James
Gilchrist, Director of Transport, Environment and Planning in
consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Climate
Change. Tel No: 01904 552547, email: james.gilchrist@york.gov.uk
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On behalf of: Neil Ferris, Corporate Director of Place |
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To be implemented by: Ben Grabham |
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On Completion – Signed off by:
James Gilchrist Director of Transport, Environment and Planning
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Date: 18 May 2022
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