Agenda item

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

17.1     The Contracts Manager introduced the report, which provides an opportunity for the Committee to comment on proposals for savings in the grass cutting budget. At present, the budget funds two cuts per year in rural areas and six cuts per year urban areas, plus some other reactive work (e.g. the management of wildflower areas). There is no statutory requirement to carry out highways grass cutting or verge maintenance. The Customer Centre receives 2,000 enquiries per year regarding highways grass cuttings, and it is one of the top ten issues that are reported. The department is discussing possible changes to the grass cutting service with Parish, District and Borough Councils. It is planned to present a report to Cabinet in December to outline the proposals to achieve the savings, and to seek approval to start a public consultation on the proposals.

17.2     The Contracts Manager outlined that if the Council does decide to reduce grass cutting it is likely to lead to an increase in the number of complaints and customer dissatisfaction. In addition, there may be an increase in costs if the grass cutting service becomes a more reactive service (e.g. in dealing with higher volume of complaints). A reduction in grass cutting may also have an impact on drainage and access in some rural areas. East Sussex County Council (ESCC) does have a statutory duty to have safe and useable Highway network. Consequently, grass cutting for safety reasons around visibility splays will need to continue.

17.3     The Committee observed that in the previous report in 2014 (appendix 2) it was recommended not to make savings in this service area. Given that background, the Committee asked what had changed and whether other service areas should be considered for savings.

17.4     The Lead Member for Transport and Environment explained that this was one of several areas of search that the Cabinet had proposed. He acknowledged that this is a more complicated matter than at first thought. Consequently there is a need to consider the implications carefully and to involve other authorities in this work. The Director of CET added that at beginning of savings process there had been a wider area of search. Now there are fewer opportunities for savings in what is a difficult financial environment, with further savings of £36m required across the Council in 2019/20 to 2020/21.

17.5     The Committee asked a number of questions about breakdown of expenditure in Appendix 1. Officers clarified that:

• Appendix1, table 1.1 the £91,532 contribution to Eastbourne Borough Council for urban grass cutting pays for six cuts and Eastbourne Borough Council fund additional cuts so the highways grass is cut fourteen times a year.

• Appendix 1, table 1.2 the contributions to Eastbourne and Hastings Borough Councils for weed control and tree maintenance differ because there are more Highway trees in Eastbourne, and Eastbourne covers a larger area. This budget includes spraying weeds on the pavement and at the edge of the carriageway, but does not include Dutch Elm disease works which are paid for from a separate budget.

17.6     The Committee observed that it would need to know the outcome of discussions with the other local authorities, and perhaps the best approach would be for the Committee to establish a Task and Finish Scrutiny Board to consider the savings proposals. The Committee also commented that the contributions for weed control and tree maintenance may also need to be examined as part of the savings. The Director of CET suggested that the Task and Finish Board could also comment on the proposed public consultation.

17.7     The Committee stated that the Task and Finish Board would need to know what the potential additional costs would be, that are referred to in the report. The Contracts Manager responded that some of the potential additional costs may be difficult to quantify.

17.8     Committee RESOLVED to establish a Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Board to examine the implications and opportunities for grass cutting savings, comprised of Councillors Claire Dowling, Godfrey Daniel and Barry Taylor.