Decision details

4.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with a verbal update on the responses to the consultation with local councils.

DECISIONS

4.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) note the proposals set out in the report to provide grass cutting and vegetation management services following changes to funding from 2018/19; and

(2) approve the changes to the updated Highway Verge and Vegetation Management Policy and the rescission of chapter 2, Section 1a of the Transport and Asset Management Plan.  

Reasons

4.3       The results and changes to the service set out in the report along with other proposed reductions in vegetation management services would provide the budget savings required and enable the County Council to meet its obligations for maintaining the highway. 

4.4       The changes require a change to the existing grass cutting policy to reduce the requirement from five urban cuts per season to two cuts per season.  The revised policy will provide a clear, consistent and up to date policy with respect to managing highway verges and vegetation services across the county and that meets the revised financial requirements for the service.