Issue - meetings

QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

 

 

Meeting: 05/07/2023 - Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee (Item 21)

21 QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 339 KB

To receive any questions or petitions.

 

 

The public retain their right to submit questions for written response, with such answers recorded in the minutes of the meeting; questioners may participate in meetings to ask a supplementary question. Petitioners may address the Committee on their petition for up to three minutes. Guidance will be made available to any member of the public wishing to speak at a meeting.



Notes:

1.    The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (29 June 2023).

 

2.    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting(28 June 2023)

 

3.    The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Witnesses:

Richard Bolton, Assistant Director of Highways Operations & Infrastructure 

Key points raised during the discussion:

  1. The Chairman noted the two public questions received on grass-cutting and verges and invited comments and questions from the committee. The following points were made:

 

  • A Member observed the growing public concern over the new verge grass cutting regime and urged the Highways Operations Department to look at the frequency and quality of grass cutting by contractors for future years.
  • Concern was expressed at the height of the grass and that it might pose a fire risk. 
  • A Member was pleased to hear that verges registered under the Blue Heart Campaign would only be cut once and hoped that more verges would be added to the list to aid wildlife.
  • Concern was expressed that many first cuts had not taken place and were late.
  • A Member queried the £2.67 million cost to collect the cut grass cuttings and the quality of the service provided.
  •  A Member called for a simplified system over jurisdiction of grass cutting duties and better understanding of the responsibilities of Boroughs & Districts.

 

  1. The Assistant Director of Highways Operations & Infrastructure acknowledged the shortfalls in the service this year and noted that the change in contractors and the ambiguity of jurisdiction presented a challenge. The Assistant Director assured the Committee that the service was working on plans to tackle the issue which would be made public. According to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service there was no increased fire risk from longer grass.

 

Actions and requests for information:

  1. Chairman asked for the Assistant Director to respond in writing to Helen Monroe’s supplementary question and for the written response to be shared with the committee.