Weeds growing in our kerb gullies and on pavements
have continued to be the Environment, Highways and
Transport Committee’s main focus in 2024. Surrey
County Council has a policy of killing such weeds—defined as a plant in a location where it is not wanted—but they are
growing apace all around Claygate.
The County Council’s policy says weed
growth can destroy paving surfaces, force
kerbs apart and crack walls, causing safety
issues and increasing maintenance costs. The policy refers to all pavements and
kerbs in residential roads and says “most
residential roads in Surrey are treated once
a year, but there may be local variation”.
After the problem came to light in the
second half of 2023, the Parish Council
hoped to clean up Claygate’s roads using
volunteers. But this was frustrated by red
tape and so the committee has been looking for other
ways of dealing with the weeds.
The Committee wrote in July to Councillor Matt
Furniss, Surrey’s Cabinet Member for Highways,
Transport and Economic Growth, asking him: What is
meant by “Most residential roads” and how and why
are any omitted? Why not say “All residential roads”?
What is meant by “there may be local variation”? Are
roads treated once a year, or not? Why are weeds
only sprayed once per year?
The Parish Council submits that this is not often
enough to achieve effective control over weeds.
Councillor Furniss did not reply in any meaningful
manner, and so the Parish Council contacted
Councillor Tim Oliver, Surrey Council Leader, in
August. He has not replied and so Councillor Mark
Sugden, the County Councillor for Claygate, tabled
a question to Surrey’s October meeting. The Parish
Council awaits answers.
source: Claygate Courier, October 2024 issue, page 6
August 2024
To receive Chairman’s report re our letter to SCC's Cllr M Furniss.
Cllr Bray wrote to SC Cllr Matt Furniss on the 18th July regarding detritus and had a response asking if we had contacted SC Cllr Mark Sugden. This has been done and SC Cllr Matt Furniss was offered a tour of Claygate to view the situation. Cllr Bray wrote to SC Cllr Matt Furniss to inform him of this evening’s meeting but unfortunately received no response. Cllr Bray sought permission to raise this matter at SALC Cllrs Zoom in Sept to try to ally with other Councils on the issue. SALC may also pick up this issue with SCC.
This was proposed by Cllr Moon and seconded by Cllr Freeborn and carried unanimously.
(extract from Environment, Highways, and Transport Committee meeting, 8th August 2024, item 7)
To receive chairman’s report re: the proposal that we join SCC’s Community Highways Volunteering Scheme (ref: highways.volunteering@surrey.gov.uk)
The email address above is held out on SCC’s website as the means to contact the responsible people. Cllr Bray wrote to them on 18th July and also the 30th July but received no reply. Cllr Bray telephoned and was told he would get a call back. Rebecca Frost—who runs this initiative on her own alongside her “proper” job as Customer Highways Licensing Team Leader—called. They had a conversation about the weeds. She will take forward the idea of empowering residents to spray weeds and get back to to Cllr Bray. She has sent some documentation to Cllr Bray which he will look at and share with the committee. At this stage there is no action to report. Cllr Bray to report at the next meeting. ACTION - Cllr Bray
(extract from Environment, Highways, and Transport Committee meeting, 8th August 2024, item 8)
To receive a report from the EHT Committee.
Cllr Bray confirmed that Ben Full had been appointed as a Non-Voting Advisor to this Committee. Cllr Bray reported on the lack of Communication received from SCC regarding the Weed Issues on the Kerbs and Gullies in Claygate. Clerk Dawn Lacey to speak about this at a Clerks Zoom meeting on the 24th September and Cllr Bray at a Councillors Zoom meeting the following week.
It was proposed that Cllr Bray writes to SCC CEO Tim Oliver regarding the issues given the lack of response from Cllr Matt Furniss and advises SC Councillor Mark Sugden prior to sending. Proposed by Cllr Bray and seconded by Cllr Holt. Carried unanimously.
ACTION: Cllr Bray
(extract from Parish Council meeting, 15th August 2024, item 9)
July 2024
To receive an update from the Environment, Highways and Transport Committee and agree any action arising.
Cllr Bray informed the Councillors that EBC has no responsibility for the weeds on the kerbs and roads in Claygate. This was discussed further in item 24.
(extract from Parish Council meeting, 18th July 2024, item 23)
To send a letter from Cllr Bray to Mark Furniss at EBC regarding the overgrowth of weeds on the kerbs and roads in Claygate.
This was proposed by Cllr Bray and seconded by Cllr Moon – carried unanimously.
(extract from Parish Council meeting, 18th July 2024, item 24)
