To receive a report from the Head of Highways, Transportation and Greenspaces and the Greenspace and Streetscape Operations Manager.

The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services introduced the report which had been circulated with the agenda. Due to considerable changes to the weed spraying programme over recent years, the Executive Member felt the timing of the report was pertinent.

The Senior Environmental Contract Manager spoke to the presentation and pulled several key themes.

Firstly, since agreed at the Executive in June 2020, the Council had committed to reducing the usage of glyphosate as part of the weeding programme. Furthermore, the Council had introduced an ‘opting out’ spraying scheme, where residents were able to adopt tree pits that were then not sprayed. The annual quantities glyphosate used on the highways had reduced by 50% since 2018. The Committee were also referred to the services role in Trafford Council’s sustainability commitment, which had seen it stop weed spraying in all public parks, green spaces, and cemeteries, looking to introduce more wildflower and meadow areas.

The alternatives to spraying weeds were also mentioned, which included weed brush machines and hot water weed control on hard surfaces. This was on a low scale currently. 

The different weeds found in Trafford were shared, with weed control primarily undertaken to prevent longer term damage to hard surfaces and infrastructure. The weed control programme timelines were also shared, usually starting in mid-May to June, as they were only effective in dry weather.

A review of the weed spraying programme was done in 2023, with the work being spread across Trafford’s twenty-one wards. The work began in the North of the Borough down, due to the densely housed nature of the area. It was recognised that this does place the South at a disadvantage, with the programme usually ending in October. However, this was also down, partly, to delays in weed treatment when contractor procurement was delayed or unavailable. Challenges could be faced due to Trafford’s contract being less lucrative than neighbouring authorities, and availability in contactors reducing due to national reductions in weed spraying programmes.

The plans for the future were shared. This included two weeding teams, starting in the north and south of the borough at the same time. The team in the north would also oversee the programme in the west, with the team in the south working on central. Further, there was an expectation that, despite glyphosate currently being deemed safe and effective, this may change. The Council considered that it was more appropriate to set a performance led programme for weed control, rather than increasing the number of chemical applications, as this would cause a detrimental effect to the environment.

Finally, the Council’s re-wilding initiatives were shared. This included use of parks, greenspaces, and verges for wildflower meadows. This had been adopted by some parks in the borough already. There had also been appetite to implement this initiative on roundabouts as well. 

The Chair thanked the Executive Member, the Senior Environmental Contract Manager, and all other officers for the update and offered Councillors the opportunity to ask questions.

Councillor Axford asked how aesthetics were taken into account when considering the weeding programme, and how that was balanced with unsafeness caused by weeds. Further, Councillor Axford asked what the uptake of opting out was and whether it was increasing. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager responded that if weeds were neglected, they could become a trip hazard and could cause flooding around drains. Regarding aesthetic, the officer responded that the lay person only notices weeds when the work was not done, and as such this made the timing of the spray crucial. Councillor Axford asked how much of a negative response was received from weeds, as they felt they should be promoted and not seen as a bad thing. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager responded further that if weeds were left to grow, residents do notice them. They could also cause safety hazards if not managed properly.

Councillor Winstanley asked if the change in approach to work from the north and south of the borough simultaneously would reduce weeds growing too large. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager responded that this was the hope, with a more even approach across the borough.

Councillor Winstanley asked whether there was opportunity to procure contractors through the Council’s STAR process, in conjunction with the other Councils. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager replied that this was already being done, with many contractors’ operating in Trafford also working elsewhere. It was noted that procurement was not where the difficulty lay, it was monitoring the work onsite that provided an issue. Inclement weather was an issue of causing further delays if a contracted company operated in several areas.

Councillor Winstanley enquired as to how pathways within public parks and cemeteries would be monitored with no more spraying taking place. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager referred to the weed brush machine included within the report, and how this would mainly be used to handle pathways. An example of work done in Chassen Park was provided. It was also mentioned that a trimmer would be used in cemeteries, with Brooklands and Sale looking well after these, with Urmston set to be completed soon. The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services added his support for the effectiveness of this machinery. 

Councillor Jones asked whether the approach to work from the North and South would see the programme take less than the twelve weeks laid out in the presentation. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager said this would be a goal, however, felt it was important to manage performance with twelve weeks already at tight timeframe. It was added that a natural reduction should take place across the borough.

Councillor Carter asked what guarantees could be given that spraying would begin in May, subject to weather. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager said that the aim was for this to begin late into May, with the programme to then kick in at the end of June and July.

Councillor Carter reported an issue of knotweed behind Flixton garden centre a year ago, and wondered if the delay was usual as it had not been dealt with. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager responded that each time knotweed was reported it went into a register, which could take up to three years to be treated. It was mentioned that the site in question was landlocked, and a fairly sized infestation which would require a specific approach, including support from specialists. The Head of Highways, Transportation and Greenspaces added that this case was being picked up, but the sheer scale of the site may be a reason for delay. 

Councillor Frass enquired as to what could be done to the lack of attention to footpaths and passageways which do not have a maintained carriageway adjacent but connect two roads and were heavily used by children walking to school. The Senior Environmental Contract Officer responded that a contractor would not be used in those cases, with any issues needing to be internalised. Officers within the Council would attend to this, strim, and spray it off. Councillor Frass asked further whether there was a programme that dealt with this, or did it rely on individual ward members reporting the issue. The officer responded that this was currently reactive but would take this away to look at making it more proactive.

Councillor Coggins enquired as to whether more could be done to stop the reasons as to why weeds grow, such as clearing drains. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager responded that simply put, if you removed things, it would reduce the ability for weeds to go, however, they would always find a way to grow.

Furthermore, Councillor Coggins mentioned whether the new approach of operating North and South, would mean the central area of the borough would become the new South. The officer assured that this approach could have different positive permutations. For example, if required teams could be moved to town centres, should the issue be worse in different areas they were covering.

Thirdly, Councillor Coggins asked whether ‘no mow May’ was still something the Council did. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager informed the Councillor that it was something being explored but would likely be in areas where it would be better received, possibly in line with re-wilding initiatives. 

Councillor Coggins asked finally if any analysis was being done to look at the biodiversity impacts of the Council’s new approach. The Officer felt it was early to look at yet, however, the team was starting to compile data to look at and monitor the impact.

Councillor Holden asked whether deep rooted plants, such as dandelions, were a major issue within the borough’s greenspaces. The Senior Environmental Contract Manager felt that feedback on dandelions was generally good and would only cause damage if they were left year on year, with any damage being minimal.

The Executive Member for Climate Change thanked Councillor Axford and Frass especially for their feedback. The Executive Member drew the Committee’s attention to a wider piece of work taking place, in the development of the Council’s Greenspaces Strategy and felt that there would be an opportunity for the Committee to have this brought to a future Committee meeting if requested.

Councillor Carter asked about greenspaces and wanted a conversation to begin on the old William Wroe golf course. The Councillor was aware of some of the potential options for the usage of this, which included wetlands development, a memorial forest, or a parkrun, but felt that for any of these to take off it would depend on improving access through entry points and pathways. It was asked what could be done to accelerate planning to add pathways and hopefully attract funding. The Director of Highways, Transportation, and Environment would take this away to the Strategic Growth team and provide Councillor Carter with a response.

The Director of Highways, Transportation, and Environment provided a response to some of the points raised. The Director felt that weed spraying was always a compromise, with the services trying to do things differently with different contractors. The Director also mentioned how they felt the management of biodiversity and moving this forward was important, and that the Head of Climate Change and Sustainability was leading on this. 

Councillor Axford felt Kingsway Park was an ideal place for rewilding and enquired as to what was being done of this through its ongoing masterplan. The Head of Highways, Transportation, and Greenspaces would take this away and contact Councillor Axford. 

The Chair thanked the officers for attending and answering the Committee’s questions.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the update be noted.

2)    That the Senior Environmental Contracts Officer, alongside colleagues, look at the feasibility of dealing with weeding issues on footpaths and passageways proactively.

3)    That the Committee consider asking for the Greenspaces Strategy to be brought to Scrutiny.

4)    That the Director of Highways, Transportation, and Environment have colleagues contact Councillor Carter around plans being discussed for the former William Wroe golf course.

5)    That the Head of Highways, Transportation, and Greenspaces provide Councillor Axford plans being discussed for Kingsway Park.