Agenda item

This report provides an overview on how the council manages weeds on the highway and open spaces.

The Chair advised that only Members of the Economy and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee were eligible to vote at the meeting. Members considered a report that provided an overview on how the council manages weeds on the highway and open spaces. Head of Environmental Services, Director of Environment, Transport and Planning and Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change were in attendance to present the report. The Head of Environmental Services gave an overview of the report. The Chair highlighted the councils cross party commitment to remove glyphosate and the commitment made at Full Council in respect of this.

In response to Member questions, the Head of Environmental Services, Director of Environment, Transport and Planning and Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change explained that:

·        Regarding the eradication of glyphosate from the streets, this was about appraising the different types of weed treatment along with the management of highways. There were manual methods for the treatment of weeds such as burning and the hot foam method (noting the hot foam method had an environmental impact). The Head of Environmental Services undertook to look into The Guardian article on the links between glyphosate and cancer. The Director of Environment, Transport and Planning noted that as the Highways Authority, the council had 4,000 miles of highways to maintain.

·        Asked why the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward did not enter the pilot, the Executive Member (Ward Member for that Ward) explained that Ward residents did not want their Ward spraying and she added that the concentration of the weed killer was being phased down. She noted that she had been contacted by residents whose Wards had been entered into the pilot without being asked.

·        There had been an error on the second spray at Hazel Court and the trial had started again.

·        A number of councils were trialling hot foam and with mixed results.

·        A weed wipe was a wipe put on thistle heads to stop seeds developing and spreading.

·        There was no breakdown for the percentage of weeding done manually. Crews undertook manual weeding in parks and open spaces.

·        Regarding how much glyphosate needed to be applied, the contractor provided the breakdown for this. The amount used would not be stronger as it was a treatment.

·        It was clarified that Wheldrake Ward was included in the pilot.

·        It was confirmed that Cllr Vassie’s Wheldrake Ward report was included at Annex 6 of the report.

·        Glyphosate was sprayed from quadbikes and was used as a spot treatment for the outbreak of plants such as giant spotweed.

·        Concerning the mechanical prevention of weeks growing on curbs, six sweepers of different size were used in the city and it was explained how roads were swept on different frequencies. In the department there had been a restructure and the new operations manager would be looking at this.

·        Concerning whether a suction approach for weed control would be an option, mechanical sweepers were used across the city and the challenge was maintaining this across the highway network in York. It was a matter of political choice where money was spent.

·        The council had not talked to other European places that used less pesticides and York needed to be looked at in its own context when looking at examples. Different settings brought their own challenges and solutions.

·        The toleration of weeds on the highway depended on the type of weeds.

·        [At this point in the meeting, the Chair noted the comments of the Pesticides Action Group].

·        The council was in the second year of the contract with the option to extend for two years. The reference to phase out glyphosate was to make contractors aware of what they would be tendering for. Regarding the 2024 re-procurement of the contract, officers would work with the administration in place at that time.

·        As part of the continued trial, the council had made a commitment to sweep pilot Wards twice a year.

·        The quad bike was the industry standard method of application for weed management and complaints from residents could be investigated using the GPS data from the contractor.

·        Weed killer was not sprayed in playparks and may be sprayed on the highways outside schools.

·        The council was looking to use the right weed control in the right place and when the pilot was complete there would be an evidence base for this.

·        In principle there could be a potential trial of reducing Glyphosate and replacing with sweeping in the Fishergate Ward but the cost of this needed to be considered.

Following consideration of the report and responses from officers and the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change, the Committee then;

Resolved:

1.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change that there be improved communication and engagement with residents regarding low maintenance ways to encourage the pollinator strategy

2.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change that xxx Sweeping (?)

3.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change that the frequencies of sweeping be added to the York Map.

4.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change that glyphosate exclusion areas around sensitive areas be examined.

5.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change to work with Officers to discuss with Wards whether there was interest in no spray at all trials and if so, what the spray would be replaced with.

6.   That it be recommended to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change that at the next consideration of the contract there be a lock in for the use of no glyphosates and the timescales for it.

Reason:     To improve the care and maintenance of the local environment including roads and streets, the city centre and parks and green space.

[The meeting adjourned from 19.05 to 19.13]