The Strategic Manager of Parks and Countryside introduced the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services which provided an overview of the appraisal exercise undertaken to consider options for future weed control across the borough. The Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee approved the Council’s Weed Control Measures options appraisal in September 2021 for a one year contract with a further one year extension, this report sought approval for the one year extension to further investigate and action alternative methods of weed control.

In response to a Member query on how much weeding officers expected to undertake with machinery, it was reported that this was something still be worked upon, officers were keen to use machinery in alleyways where there was a reduced risk of stone chips causing damage, from this officers could identify how quickly the machinery could work through an area depending on weed density, this would then be scaled up and applied across the Wirral to find this figure.

On a motion by Councillor Liz Grey, seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes, it was -

Resolved – That

(1)  the current weed control contract with ManCoed Ltd at a cost of £260,000 for one year be extended.

(2)  the continued exploration of alternative options for weed control be endorsed, including the provision of an ‘in-house’ multi-disciplinary service and a further report including options and costs be brought to a future committee.

(3)  the Director of neighbourhoods be requested to engage residents in relation to the issue of ideas for controlling weeds.