Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

This report provides an update on the approach to the use of pesticides when delivering Grounds Maintenance.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) that provided an update on the approach to the use of pesticides when delivering Grounds Maintenance.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         The usage of herbicides as part of a citywide grounds’ maintenance weed control programme;

·         An update on the works to reduce the City’s dependency on herbicides and in particular Glyphosate as the primary weed control method;

·         The use of Glyphosate as a standard weed treatment having ceased altogether in parks and gardens, and the use of alternative herbicides significantly reduced to spot and targeted treatments;

·         No general Glyphosate based treatments had been used by the Grounds Teams to manage weeds in either Manchester Parks and Gardens, Street Scene, or Northwards communal areas and incidental green space since 2019;

·         Describing that in other parts of the public estate the approach had been to reduce use of glyphosate;

·         Noting that alternate methods of control were being explored, including organic herbicides, vinegar solutions, mechanical clearance, hot water and hot foam;

·         An update on the approach to weed control in cemeteries;

·         An update on the approach to weed control across highways and the public estate;

·         Describing the work in consultation with landowners and those responsible for maintenance of land to understand the current approach to weed control; and

·         Conclusions and next steps.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Reiterating the call previously expressed by the Committee for an immediate end to the use of Glysophate as a means of weed control across all settings;

·         The need to use the imminent contract re- negotiation as an opportunity to insist the Biffa also stop using Glysophate;

·         The use of Glysophate was contrary to the ambitions of the Climate Emergency, commenting upon the need to support biodiversity;

·         The need to educate residents and manage their expectations in relation to weed control and emphasise the environmental benefits of these;

·         What was the approach and guidance as to the use of Glysophate in allotments;

·         Was Glysophate injected or sprayed to tackle Japanese Knotweed;

·         The probation service should deploy those offenders undertaking Community Payback sentences to manually remove weeds where required;

·         Recognising the work delivered by the Cemeteries Teams, adding that the Committee should endorse a recommendation to increase the numbers of staff in the teams as part of the budget considerations;

·         That a briefing note be prepared for information to the Committee that described the actions taken by other Local Authorities to eradicate the use of Glysophate and the alternate measures introduced;

·         Information was requested on the approach and alternatives to weed control adopted by Registered Housing Providers across the city; and

·         Noting that residents could collectively opt out of having Glysophate used on a specific residential street and more should be done to publicise this to residents.  

The Strategic Lead, Waste Recycling and Street Cleaning, acknowledged the comments from the Members and responded by saying that the UK Health and Safety Executive had extended the use of Glysophate until December 2025. She stated that Glysophate is acknowledged as an efficient means of weed control, however the Council had reduced its use as described within the report. She acknowledged the point regarding the need to educate residents in regard to weeds by stating this could be included in individual ward plans. She described that Glysophate was administered via injection rather than spraying when dealing with cases of Japanese Knotweed, and in regard to Allotments this was not within her remit however a response to the question would be requested following the meeting.

The Strategic Lead, Waste Recycling and Street Cleaning, advised that discussions were ongoing with Biffa and a range of stakeholders regarding the use of Glysophate and the adoption of alternative methods of weed control. In response to points raised regarding a cost benefit analysis, the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) stated that this analysis would inform part of the budget setting considerations that the Committee would be invited to consider and comment upon.

In regard to cemeteries, the Bereavement Services Manager described that specific designated areas within Southern Cemetery areas had been left to grow, however in those areas where new plots were located a degree of sensitivity was required and accepting that there was a need to balance the environmental needs and those of bereaved families. 

Decisions

The Committee recommend;

1. That a briefing note be prepared by Officers that describes the approach taken by other Local Authorities to stop using Glyspohate and the alternate methods of weed control adopted.

2. That a briefing note be prepared by Officers that describes the approach taken by local Registered Housing Providers to reduce their use of Glyspohate and the alternate methods considered to control weeds.