Decision details

Matter for Decision

On 27 January 2022 the Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Sustainable Food & Community Wellbeing (after scrutiny) approved a Herbicide Reduction Plan (HRP), which included Newnham and Arbury as the two herbicide free wards and the introduction of up to 12 herbicide free streets.

 

The Council’s declaration of a Biodiversity Emergency (18th July 2019) included a commitment to reducing and removing the need to use herbicides on highway verges, roads, and pavements, and to find viable and effective alternatives, and this was reflected in the development and application of the HRP.

 

The Council’s passing of a Herbicide Motion (ref. 21/32/CNlc - 22nd July 2021) included a commitment to undertake a range of tasks and actions to reduce the reliance on herbicide, as a means of managing unwanted vegetation on public property asset within the city.

 

The Officer’s report gave updates on the work completed on the HRP to date, including an evaluation of the two herbicide free wards and the herbicide free street scheme; and made recommendations on the further reduction in the use of herbicides in the city’s public realm.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Food Justice & Community Development

      i.          Approved the expansion of the Herbicide Reduction Plan to include two additional herbicide free wards for 2023 - West Chesterton and Trumpington, (and continuation with Newnham and Arbury herbicide free wards from 2022).

     ii.          Approved the continuation and further development of the ‘Happy Bee Street Scheme’.

   iii.          Noted the decision of the County Council on their use of herbicides in the city and to assist them with their new approach (paragraphs 3.2 to 3.4 of the Officer’s report).

   iv.          Noted the decision of the County Council to change the grass cutting specifications in the city (paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7 of the Officer’s report).

    v.          Supported the development of a collaborative communication plan as detailed in Section 5 of the Officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Development Manager, Streets & Open Spaces.

 

The Development Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          Complaints referred to the:

a.    Early stage of the trial where herbicide was applied by a third party who was unaware of the herbicide free trial.

b.    Appearance of the area when people were unaware the trial was underway and thought the area was untidy.

     ii.          The scheme showed how much potential the Happy Bee scheme had for the Council. There was interest in more streets joining the scheme. The Council would provide appropriate personal protective equipment to participants.

   iii.          There was a risk of accessibility around the city as wet vegetation could block/overhang pavements in open spaces causing hazards. Weeds in gutters were another issue as channels needed to be kept clear. The City Council was working with the County Council to keep channels clear.

   iv.          A Working Group had looked at rolling out the herbicide free trial across all wards, but selected just two, due to conditions such as road surfaces. The trial was limited to two wards to avoid negative impact around peoples’ homes eg perception of lack of maintenance which may lead to fly tipping.

    v.          Referred to Appendices A and B in the Officer’s report for details of actions taken and their effectiveness.

   vi.          The trial would determine how to proceed in other areas. Some DEFRA guidance was expected in 2024.

 

The Committee resolved by 6 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.