Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Eade, tel 01256 360091 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 2005/06 and 2006/07 and the reasons for that decision.

2. Background

2.1 Basingstoke and Deane officers and Members have expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of weedkilling in urban areas of the Borough over the last two years and have indicated that they would like to operate this service alongside grass cutting and arboriculture.

2.2 Additional measures to improve the weedkilling service were instigated for the 2004 season. These included tighter control over the timing of treatments and closer monitoring of the works themselves as well as utilising the optional extra half spray in late summer. The County Council's highway maintenance contractor, Raynesway Construction Southern Limited (RCS), has been made aware of the concerns regarding weedkilling and has been working closely with highways staff to improve the situation. Whilst acknowledging that there is still room for improvement it is felt that the 2004 season had, within the framework of two full sprays and a half spray towards the end of the season, generated enough improvement to create insufficient justification for removing weed killing from the existing TMC on the basis of performance.

2.3 With regard to the technicalities of removing the 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 Basingstoke and Deane 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. The TMC between the County Council and RCS is due for review and renewal in April 2007 and this would be the most appropriate time to consider making changes.

3. Conclusion

3.1 County Council officers have concluded that the weedkilling service should remain in the TMC for 2005/06/07 and that the situation be reviewed at the end of this period. The Executive Member for Environment is aware of the position and supports this approach.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

299/PE