DIRECTOR DECISION

Decision Title: Weed Management of Highways and Associated Areas – Pilot wards

Type of Decision: Director Key

Non-Key

Portfolio Area that decision relates to:

Leader (in Policy & S&P)

Finance & Performance

Deputy Leader & Transport

Culture, Leisure & Comm

Environment & Climate C

Children & Young P & Edui

Economy & Strategic Plan

Health Adult Social Care

Housing & Safety Neigh

Background:

At the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change meeting on 12^th 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 30^th March 2022 to indicate if they wanted their ward to be considered for the Weed Pilot.

The following responses had been received:

Ward	Request to be Pilot Ward ?	Other comments or proposals from Elected Members
Guildhall	Yes
Osbaldwick and Derwent	Yes
Hull Road	Yes
Micklegate	Yes
Holgate	Yes	A specific request to undertake no spraying in a defined area of the ward (St Paul Square) See annex 1 for map. Want to be a pilot but a few isolated areas to receive a third spray see maps at annex 2, annex 3 and annex 4 . Whilst officers will support the request the risk is that these small areas get forgotten. The Ward Councillor accepts a street by street approach may not be possible in the future.
Fishergate	Yes	Happy to be a pilot ward but a specific request to undertake no spraying in a defined area of the ward (2 x backstreets to be defined). Ward Councillor accepts a street by street approach may not be possible in the future See map annex 5.
Wheldrake	Yes	Happy to be a pilot ward but a specific request for there to be no highway spraying at all in Elvington see annex 6 for a map
Rural West	Yes	Happy to be a pilot ward but a specific request for Skelton to be excluded from the trial and receive a third treatment see annex 7

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.

Implications: Crime & Disorder

Equalities

Other:

Human Resources

Legal

Highways

Financial

ITT

Property

Decision Date:

18 May 2022

Wards Affected:
All Wards	Fishergate	X	Holgate		X	Rural West York	X
Acomb	Fulford & Heslington		Hull Road		X	Strensall
Bishopthorpe	Guildhall	X	Huntington & New Earswick			Westfield
Clifton	Haxby & Wigginton		Micklegate		X	Wheldrake	X
Copmanthorpe	Heworth		Osbaldwick & Derwent		X
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe	Heworth Without		Rawcliffe & Clifton
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
Decision Made by: James Gilchrist, Director of Transport, Environment and Planning in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change. Contact Details: Directorate of Place, West Offices Tel No: 01904 552547, email: james.gilchrist@york.gov.uk
On behalf of: Neil Ferris, Corporate Director of Place
To be implemented by: Ben Grabham
On Completion – Signed off by: James Gilchrist Director of Transport, Environment and Planning				Date: 18 May 2022