Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any substitutions to the Membership of the Committee.

Noted

The Committee noted that Councillor Tony Axelrod was present as nominated substitute for Councillor Tella Wormington and that Councillor Neil Dallen was present as nominated substitute for Councillor Hannah Dalton.

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

None

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors in items on this agenda.

This report details the decision by Surrey County Council to review the current agreements for highways horticulture and proposals for future arrangements.

It was agreed -

(1)  That the offer from Surrey County Council of £66,000 for the provision of seven urban and two rural verge cuts per annum be approved.

(2)  That the offer from Surrey County Council of £12,000 for the provision of Highways Horticultural works be approved.

(3)  That the offer from Surrey County Council of £21,379 for the provision of three weed spaying treatments be approved.

(4)  That the “top-up” for the seven urban verge cuts to twelve on all land belonging to both Surrey County Council and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council at an additional cost of £36,500 be approved.

(5)  That the early termination of a mechanical sweeper which will result in a small saving in 2016/17 and a full saving of £50,000 in 2017/18 be approved.

The Committee received and considered a report that gave details of the decision by Surrey County Council to review the current agreements for highways horticulture and proposals for future arrangements.  It was noted that for many years Epsom & Ewell Borough Council had undertaken highways horticulture work on behalf of Surrey County Council which included cutting urban verges six times per annum and rural highway verges twice per annum, maintaining hedges bordering the public highway, roundabouts and weed spraying for an annual contract payment of £99,862.

The current agreement for highways horticultural works had been due to expire on 31 March 2016.  The Borough had historically ‘topped-up’ this basic highway horticulture agreement by cutting all urban verges an average of twelve times per annum. The report further set out the current Highways Horticultural arrangements, details of the expiration of the current arrangements, revised arrangements and follow-up negotiations.

It was agreed -

(1)          That the offer from Surrey County Council of £66,000 for the provision of seven urban and two rural verge cuts per annum be approved.

(2)          That the offer from Surrey County Council of £12,000 for the provision of Highways Horticultural works be approved.

(3)          That the offer from Surrey County Council of £21,379 for the provision of three weed spaying treatments be approved.

(4)          That the “top-up” for the seven urban verge cuts to twelve on all land belonging to both Surrey County Council and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council at an additional cost of £36,500 be approved.

(5)          That the early termination of a mechanical sweeper which will result in a small saving in 2016/17 and a full saving of £50,000 in 2017/18 be approved.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the officers for the negotiations undertaken in consultation with Surrey County Council.