Issue - meetings

To note the report on Road Channel Sweeping.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services presented the report on Road channel sweeping.

The Committee queried whether it would be possible to let residents know the day the street sweeper would be attending each road. The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services advised against this option and stated that there were many factors that could lead to a change in the schedule such as staff sickness and maintenance issues.

The Committee asked if roads could be added to the leafing schedule and whether the use of handheld leaf blowers had been considered. The Committee were advised that they could suggest roads which would then be inspected by officers and added if appropriate. Handheld leaf blowers had been considered but were very resource intensive.

The Committee advised that they would like for the Group Head – Neighbourhood Services to produce a new report which included options for improving the Road Channel Sweeping in the Borough. The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services advised they would bring the report in March 2024 which would allow them time to try potential solutions over the winter period.

The Committee suggested that those councillors that were also County councillors could raise the issue of road closures with Surrey County Council (SCC) directly to see if it would be possible to coordinate the road sweeping schedule with SCC’s drainage works. The Committee further suggested a letter could be sent from the Committee to SCC.

The Committee resolved that a letter would be sent from the Committee to Surrey County Council. The letter would be drafted by the Group Head – Neighbourhood Services and approved by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee as well as Councillor Attewell and Councillor Sexton.

The Committee resolved that a report would be added to the Forward Plan for March 2024 with possible options to deal with the Road Channel Sweeping issue.

The Committee resolved to note the report.

To note the report on Road Channel Sweeping.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services presented the report on Road channel sweeping. The report was a ‘to-note’ report which would usually go in the Members’ Briefing Pack but had been requested as a discussion point for this meeting.

The Committee acknowledged that due to high levels of parking in many roads across the borough there were significant challenges in cleaning effectively and that solutions needed to be considered for those roads.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services identified that some councillors were working with residents to arrange a time when all cars could be moved from a particular street to enable the sweepers to get full access. This option was viewed as being very cost effective. The Committee agreed that this was a good solution for some roads.

The Committee queried what the criteria was when identifying which roads were included on the leafing schedule. The Committee were informed that it was roads that were predominantly tree-lined.

The Committee resolved to note the report on Road Channel Sweeping.