Agenda item

This report reviews the use of herbicides on green space assets and alternatives that are available.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report reviewing the use of herbicides on green space assets and alternatives that were available, in response to consideration of a Member’s Item on 15 August 2019.

With the agreement of the Committee, Ms Rachael Noxon, who had previously spoken at the Committee in August, addressed the Committee again in support of the cessation of the use of glyphosate. She referred to the fact that the Council had recently declared a climate emergency and stated that should the Council cease the use of glyphosate to control weed growth this would go some way towards helping climate and biodiversity concerns.

The Operations Manager – Grounds – Medway Norse referred to the report and drew attention to the various options set out in paragraph 3, along with the costs set out in paragraph 6. These had been drawn up in line with the request of the Committee following discussions on 15 August.

In response to questions, she provided an assurance that only small quantities of glyphosate were used in a diluted form for weed control and that all liquids were mixed before employees left site to undertake spraying. All staff were fully trained in the use of the chemicals and were required to obtain the National Proficiency Test Council’s PA1 and PA6a licence before they were permitted to spray chemicals. Protective clothing, gloves and masks were required to be worn.

Since this issue had originally been raised on 15 August 2019, officers had undertaken indepth research into the use of glyphosate, had discussed concerns with industry professionals and had investigated outcomes at other local authorities where spraying had either ceased or partially ceased. Full information on this research was appended to the report on pages 101 – 114 of the agenda.

Although considered a safe method of chemical weed control, the Operations Manager – Grounds – Medway Norse suggested that if the Council wished to provide a level of reassurance to the public, subject to Cabinet approval, it was possible to cease the use of glyphosate in children’s play areas at an estimated cost of £3,800 per annum.

The Committee discussed the report and acknowledged the work that had been undertaken through liaison between officers and Councillor Curry who had originally raised this issue as a Member’s item in August 2019. However, concern was expressed that the proposed recommendations were not sufficient and did not fully take account of the Council’s declared climate emergency, current data, and the impact upon wild flowers, insects and wildlife, including amphibians. In addition, it was reported that at least 40 other local authorities across the country had stopped using glyphosate to control weed growth.

Additional action was proposed to supplement the proposal to cease the use of glyphosate in children’s play areas, including the cessation of use of herbicides in all greenspaces with the methods for control of vegetation being kept under review year by year or that the use of herbicides cease for one year in all greenspaces and be reviewed in December 2020. However, neither proposal was supported on being put to the vote.

A Member then suggested that, in addition to the recommendations set out in the report, it also be recommended to Cabinet that for a period of one year, an uncut area of approximately 3ft be left untreated around the base of trees in public parks, with one cut during the season. It was noted that if supported by this Committee, this additional option would need to be costed before submission to Cabinet for consideration.

Decision:

The Committee agreed that it be recommended to Cabinet that:

a)     due to conflicting opinion, glyphosate no longer be used in children’s play areas.

b)     as the current product has been deemed safe to use by independent scientific experts working for the EU and UK Government, the service continue the adopted practice on all other green space assets.

c)     the service continue to review usage of glyphosate herbicides in greenspace/public areas within legislation guidelines.

d)     that for a period of one year, an uncut area of approximately 3ft be left untreated around the base of trees in public parks, with one cut during the season.