Decision details

Report of the Head of Finance regarding consultation with Town and Parishes on the grass verge cutting agreement with Devon County Council.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group had recommended that this authority:

a)    Continues to provide grass verge cutting on Devon County Council highway land in Town and Parishes that have contributed funding based on the 2015/16 budget as detailed in 3.3 and Option 1.

b)    Negotiates with those Town and Parishes Councils who have resolved on Option 1 for a reduction of one cut per annum or to contribute towards one additional cut per annum with reference to 3.4 and 5.5.

c)    Withdraws from the Devon County Council grass verge cutting agreement, where the Town and Parish Councils have resolved to accept funding directly from Devon County Council as detailed in 3.3 /Option 2.

d)    Withdraws from our grass verge cutting agreement with Devon County Council where Town and Parish Councils have resolved to accept Option 3 due to the financial shortfall forecast in Annex A.

e)    Reviews the ongoing service provision of grass verge cutting in response to the reduction of funding as detailed at 5.6 by March 2016.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the contents of the report stating that this authority maintained its parks and public open spaces and also cut grass on the highways for Devon County Council for which a remittance is received.  Devon County Council had reduced its funding and therefore options had been offered to the Town and Parish Councils

Consideration was given to consultation that had taken place with Town and Parish Councils and the need for the parishes to advise whether they wanted a service by the end of January.

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

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)

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