Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report provided an update on the implementation of the herbicide-free weed management programme for Cambridge. It outlined the planned work programme and the accompanying communications strategy to ensure effective delivery and public engagement.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services

      i.          Approved the work programme (appendix A) to ensure systematic implementation across all wards.

     ii.          Approved the communications plan (appendix B) to support public engagement and transparency.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

See Officer’s report.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Strategic Delivery Manager.

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

      i.          Officers expected to visit wards one or more times per year to undertake deep clean work. Details would be put on the city council website and communicated to Ward Councillors.

     ii.          Deep cleans would be undertaken in addition to general clear up work. Officers preferred to follow a program of work, but could deviate from this if necessary. Various stakeholders such as On The Verge were proactive in communicating issues such as weeds in gutters.

   iii.          People could report areas that needed cleaning through a form on the City Council website.

   iv.          The City Council was proactive in its communication about work to manage stakeholder expectations.

    v.          The City Council would consider supporting other organisations in future clean-up work as a possible revenue stream (for provision of a clean-up service using City Council staff/expertise) or to help volunteers, but would focus on City Council needs in the short term.

   vi.          Noted Councillor concerns that it was difficult to liaise with the Highway Agency to cone off parts of roads for a deep clean, but work was undertaken quickly when it went ahead.

 vii.          Herbicide free methods were sustainable in the long term. There were time/financial costs in the short term. As technology changed, cheaper electrical versions of equipment should become available that were prohibitively expensive at present, such as electric vehicles to replace diesel ones.

The Committee unanimously resolved 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.