Issue - meetings

To give consideration to a presentation on verge maintenance.

Consideration was given to a presentation on verge maintenance. The presentation outlined:

• The current arrangements – Bam Nuttall had won the contract for the former Macclesfield and Crewe and Nantwich Authorities and the Borough Council had won the contract for the former Congleton Authority
• The timetable for rural and urban grass cutting
• A detailed plan of the highway network
• The budget – total annual cost of £820,000

In summary, it was reported that BAM Nuttall and Cheshire East Council (CEC) were working to agreed contractual obligations. However CEC cut fortnightly throughout the growing season which was a higher frequency than BAM Nuttall. Member agreed that if this was achievable in the former Congleton area then it should also be achievable in the rest of the borough and therefore the possibility of providing the service in house should be investigated.

Members raised concern regarding the frequency of gully emptying. It was reported that due to the previous harsh winter, priorities had been revised to deal with the highways and that unless there was another harsh winter the programme would return to normal.

Members also raised concerns regarding hedge cutting, it was agreed that for visibility and safety reasons, this should be included in the verge maintenance programme.

RESOLVED

1. That the presentation be noted.
2. That the possibility of providing the service in house and hedge cutting being included as part of the maintenance programme be investigated.