Agenda and minutes

22.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2021. 

23.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

24.1     The Lead Member RESOLVED to defer consideration of the petition regarding the extension of the 40pmh speed limit on the A2100 London Road, Battle to a future meeting.

Reasons

24.2     Since the petition was referred in July 2021, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) associated with a speed limit reduction for the Lillybank development on the A2100 London Road, Battle, has gone out for informal consultation. A draft TRO for this proposal will be advertised. The Lead Member therefore considered it appropriate to defer consideration of this petition pending the view of the Planning Committee. Any objections are expected to be considered at Planning Committee on 16 February 2022 and the petition will therefore be deferred until the Lead Member for Transport and Environment meeting on 14 March 2022.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

25.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

25.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to recommend that the County Council rejects the Motion for the reasons set out in the report.

Reasons

25.3     The Council is aware of the concerns about Glyphosate, notes the concerns raised by some councillors and residents and is committed to finding an alternative. Meanwhile we ensure that the authority meets its statutory duties of maintaining a safe and usable highway network. There are also difficulties in implementing a complete ban on the use of herbicides on all Council owned land and land managed by the County Council as set out in the report.

25.4     Therefore, at present the Council will continue to safely use a Glyphosate based herbicide, until a suitable alternative becomes available, as it is the most effective and efficient weed control method as an approved licenced product applied in accordance with best practice.  Glyphosate is on the list of the Health and Safety Executive’s GB Pesticides Regulation Regime licenced and registered products and ESCC is actively researching alternatives, but at present there is no alternative weed maintenance technique that is economically viable.

25.5     There are proposed trials for alternative weed maintenance techniques in 2022 with the aim of working towards introducing new methods as part of the next highways maintenance contract in 2023. It should also be noted that it may not be possible to eliminate the occasional use of herbicides for non-highways use.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

26.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

26.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) note that the proposed phased approach to disposal seeks to ensure that as many items as possible are donated to museums, galleries, and schools to maximise their use for educational purposes;

(2)        note that following an assessment by the County Archivist, artwork of cultural or historical significance to East Sussex will be relocated to The Keep and available to residents to view; and

(3)        approve the disposal of stock from the Schools Library and Museum Service collection.

Reasons

26.3     The Schools Library and Museum Service (SLAMS) ceased in 2018 following a review of the service during the development of the Libraries Strategic Commissioning Strategy. However a range of new services were introduced as part of the Council’s Children and Young People offer including a library membership specifically for teachers and targeted librarian outreach to areas of need.  Following the closure of SLAMS there are over 1,200 items held at Ropemaker Park without the facilities to maintain the collection in the long term or provide access to the public.  Artwork of local significance will be moved to The Keep and a proposed phased disposal approach has been developed.  The phased approach prioritises the donation to museums, galleries, and schools to maximise use for educational purposes.