Archived decisions

Contact: Alan Giles, ext 7712 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report informs the Panel of the intention to retain weedkilling in the County Council's Highways Term Maintenance Contract (TMC) during 2004 and the reasons for that decision.

2. Background

2.1 At the request of the Chairman a joint report was prepared by the County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council and the Panel decided to request that weedkilling be taken out of the Highways TMC and returned to Rushmoor Borough Council.

2.2 Additional measures to improve the weedkilling service are already in hand for the 2004 season. These include much tighter control over the timing of treatments and closer monitoring of the works themselves. The County Council's highway maintenance contractor, Raynesway Construction Southern Limited (RCS), has been made aware of the concerns regarding weedkilling and will be working closely with highways staff to see that matters improve.

2.3 With regard to the proposal to remove weedkilling work from the TMC, there were concerns that to make such a change would have contractual and financial implications to the contract, especially as any changes agreed for Rushmoor Borough Council would have to be offered to all other Hampshire districts. Such contractual changes would require detailed discussions between RCS and Hampshire County Council before the exact extent of the implications could be agreed. Given the short time prior to the start of the 2004/05 weedkilling season, it was considered impractical for those negotiations to be completed in time. It was therefore decided by officers that RCS ought to be given the opportunity to set matters right during 2004/05 and that that the matter should be reviewed at the end of the 2004 weedkilling season.

3. Conclusion

3.1 County Council officers have concluded that the weedkilling service should remain in the TMC for 2004/05 and that the situation be reviewed at the end of the weedkilling season. The Executive Member for Environment is aware of the position and supports this approach.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8710/AG