Archived decisions

Advantages

Disadvantages

· In terms of operational efficiency, weed treatment would integrate well into districts' street-care (grounds maintenance/ sweeping/ litter) teams, which already carry out highway verge maintenance.

· The existing highway verge maintenance agency function is best placed with districts.

· The service might be more responsive if locally arranged (eg hot spot treatment and missed roads).

· A freeing-up of staff time at County Council Highway Units would be anticipated (ie non-cashable Gershon savings). The extent of those savings would not be known until the extent of the changes were finalised.

· A suitable model for agreeing allocations already exists in the existing verge maintenance arrangements.

· County Council would lose direct control.

· The public might be more confused as to who does what with highways.

· Inflation costs may be governed by the contractual commitments and/ or policy of the district agents.

· County Council Highways Units would still have some ongoing involvement - eg re-routeing/ answering enquiries, liaison with district staff, auditing of performance.

· There are likely costs associated with the removal of the service from the Term Maintenance Contract (TMC).

· Dual arrangements - the service would be retained in the TMC in some areas and dealt with by the districts in others.