Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Arising from a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151), the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation with regard to the budget: that the proposed savings identified in relation to the weed team be removed and that the budget in this area be retained.
It was also noted that the other 3 PDGs had also agreed with the above recommendation.
The Cabinet Member for the Environment informed the meeting that the Weed Team project was added very late in the 2019/20 budget with no cost appraisal and without an idea of how effective it would be. The 2 man team had focussed on Tiverton, there had been little evaluation of the work that had taken place and that a number of parishes already precepted for such work to take place within their own areas. It was felt that this was a discretionary service and that the statutory responsibility lay with the County Council.
Discussion took place with regard to:
· The volunteers who picked up litter and disposed of weeds
· Whether the weed team could be funded by the parishes through their precepts
· The need to consider savings within the budget
· The possible requirement for a policy to consider what we would expect the town and parish councils to precept for.
It was therefore
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group not be supported and that the proposed savings identified in relation to the weed team remain.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Publication date: 17/02/2020
Date of decision: 13/02/2020
Decided at meeting: 13/02/2020 - Cabinet
Effective from: 22/02/2020