Decisions

To inform Members of the Executive about the current use of pesticides on public land by the Council’s Streetscene team, the legislation controlling pesticide use and what alternative measures other local authorities are currently adopting.  This information will be used to inform debate on the Council’s use of Glyphosate following the receipt of a petition at the Council Meeting held on 20 April in respect of the use of Glyphosate on Public Land.

On 20 April 2023 the Council received a petition submitted by Councillor Ms C Bainbridge on behalf of Conserving Habitats in Portchester (C.H.I.P), which requested that Fareham Borough Council ensure that, in public areas, it replaces the use of Glyphosate with chemical free weed removal methods, which are better for the environment and pose no risk to humans, wildlife and pets.

A small number of councils have initiated either a partial herbicide ban, or glyphosate ban for general use.  However, it appears that all authorities are still using glyphosate to treat invasive species such as Japanese knotweed.

The Council’s Streetscene Scrutiny Panel received a presentation on the Council’s Pesticide Treatment Programme at the meeting on 26 January 2023.  Members of the Panel were very supportive of the suggestion put forward in the presentation that a Policy be developed to regulate the Council’s use of pesticides and to provide details of the measures being considered to reduce them.

As the first step in the development of a policy, officers have contacted other local authorities and reviewed recent trials and studies about the use of glyphosate for weed control which indicates this remains the most sustainable option.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the content of the report.

This report seeks approval to award the contract to operate Fareham Live on behalf of the Council to the preferred bidder.

The skill required to programme and operate Fareham Live means that management by an experienced operator is required.

Following the withdrawal of BH Live as the Council’s preferred operator on 20 October 2021, the Council has undertaken a new procurement exercise.

The report seeks approval to appoint the preferred operator of Fareham Live.  Following a detailed procurement exercise, three final bidders have provided submissions that offer a varied and high-quality programme of events and activities to enable Fareham Live to be a vibrant venue with activity throughout the day and evening.

The evaluation of the submissions and preferred bidder are provided in confidential Appendix A to the report.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the tender submitted by the contractor ranked 1^st as set out in the confidential Appendix A to the report, being the most advantageous tender received, be accepted and the contract awarded to the company;

(b)  the contractor ranked 2^nd, as set out in confidential Appendix A to the report is appointed as reserve bidder; and

(c)  permission for agreement to make minor amendments to the contract with the preferred bidder be delegated to the Director of Leisure and Community following consultation with the Executive Member for Leisure and Community.