Agenda and minutes

It was proposed, seconded, and AGREED that Councillor Nikki Manterfield be elected Chairman of the meeting.

It was proposed, seconded, and AGREED that Councillor Ian Selby be elected Vice-Chairman of the meeting.

The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting, please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk.

There were no public speakers.

Apologies were received from Councillors Paul Wood, Richard Dixon-Warren, Barry Dobson, and Steven Cunnington.

Councillor Steven Cunnington was substituted by Councillor Tim Harrison.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were none.

The Uses of Pesticides Across South Kesteven report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste.

A motion was agreed at Full Council on 21 November 2024 to look into the feasibility of phasing out the use of all synthetic pesticides on Council owned land.

The district of South Kesteven covers approximately 365 square miles. In terms of grounds maintenance activities, the total amount of land which the Council’s Street Scene Team were responsible for equated to 1,044,004 square metres. At the time of the report’s publication, the Street Scene Team used Round Up Pro Active 360 to kill and suppress weeds on identified areas across the district. This was a glyphosate herbicide recommended for the total control of annual and perennial grasses and broad-leaved weeds in non-crop areas and was the only chemical application which was routinely applied by the Council. The product was used under strict spraying conditions and only at the recommended dilution rates. When used under the correct conditions, although the neat (undiluted) substance was identified as being hazardous, in its diluted form the manufacturer claimed that it was not harmful to animals or aquatic life.

The amount of glyphosate used by the Council had already decreased over recent years. In financial year 2023/24 a total amount of £490 was spent on glyphosate with a significant amount of stock being left unused at the end of the financial year. Year to the date of the report’s publication, the total amount expended was £1,582.  However, 200 litres of glyphosate was applied to the whole of the Turnpike Road site on two occasions to prepare the land for the build of the new depot.

The report listed the advantages and disadvantages of the following alternative options for weed control:

-       Manual labour – removal of weeds via hand or non-mechanical tools,

-       Mechanical – use of weed ripper machinery,

-       Mechanical – use of foam stream machinery.

It was also identified that the Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) promoted banning the use of glyphosates and transitioning to alternative methods of controlling weeds.  They advocated a phased approach to stopping the use of glyphosate and did not advise eliminating its use overnight, suggesting that such action would be counterproductive.

Research identified several challenges associated with transitioning

to alternative methods of weed control.  The potential implications include out of control weed growth, public safety concerns and resident dissatisfaction.  Some of the Councils who had made the decision to ban glyphosates have since reversed this due to public pressure. Appendix One of the report outlined the list of Council sites receiving treatment.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       The Assistant Director of Leisure, Culture and Place agreed to look into the amount of pesticides being used in neighbouring authorities and feed this information back as an ACTION.

-       A method was queried by which alternative seeds were dispersed within the pesticides. The Tree Officer noted that this was not a common practice in the UK.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.