21 QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS 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:
- 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.
-
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:
- 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.