Decision details

Following consideration of a report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations:

a)    The procedure shown at Appendix A which is designed to ensure that the conflicting needs of stakeholders are taken into account when residents make requests regarding different maintenance arrangements/agreements relating to the upkeep of grass verges and other grassed areas on the housing estate. 

b)    An increase in the Environmental Improvement Budget to £10,000 and a review of the procedures relating to it to ensure that it can be better used to support initiatives designed to encourage greater biodiversity.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report highlighting the work of the Task and Finish Group that had made recommendations to the Homes Policy Development Group.  He informed the meeting that there were many strands associated with the service delivery in relation to grounds maintenance in general and grass cutting on housing estates and that the process map attached to the report considered the variety of requests for grass-cutting and how this would be progressed.

Consideration was given to:

·         Health and safety and biodiversity issues

·         The need to explore this work as part of the Climate Action Plan

·         The work of the Neighbourhood Officers

·         A review would take place in 12 months.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R B Evans and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Reason for the decision: In order for a policy/procedure to be in place which provides a decision making framework for officers within the Estates team to use when considering requests made by different stakeholders.

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.