Council look to new environmentally friendly foamstream machine in move to replace glyphosate weed killer

A new way to tackle weeds in parks and around schools across Wrexham County Borough will be introduced.

Members of the council’s homes and environment scrutiny committee were told at a meeting yesterday afternoon that new equipment that will mean weeds that in certain areas will be treated in a more “natural way”.

It comes off the back of concerns over the council’s use of glyphosate-based herbicides to kill weeds, an issue Cllr Ronnie Prince successfully badgered the council over for several years.

Last year it was confirmed that the local authority’s environment department had sought to limit the amount used, particularly around play areas and schools.

Training was also being given to staff in the build up to last summer summer to protect people’s health.

Yesterday an officer from the council’s environment department explained that a new machine has been purchased, which will treat weeds by coating them in a ‘foam’ stream. However due to the size of the machine, it can only be used in certain places.

The officer said: “The new machine works on hot water, but there is also a foam system with it. We treat the weeds with the hot water and it produces a foam.

“The foam is from natural plant oils. As we treat the weeds the foam sticks to the weed, keeping the heat in and killing the weeds off.

“We are restricted to where can use the machine, we’ve only got one machine. So we will be using it in in areas where we said we will not spray, such as play areas and outside schools. It will be used for those areas as there won’t be any glyphosate used there.

“We have trialled it a couple of times. It kills off the weeds for about two to three weeks, so it is no where near as good as glyphosate, however it is a natural product that we can use and it is safe.

“We’re also using it in Stryt Las and the crematorium because we can use it on water as it is safe for animals.”

The committee was also told that the council had reduced its use of glyphosate by only ‘spot-treating’ the weeds. However it was acknowledged that a number of areas were only treated once last year.

But questions were asked about how weeds will be treated elsewhere across the county borough, with some councillors stating they had received complaints about some kerbsides and areas appearing “unkempt”

Councillor Michael Morris, Holt ward, said: “There is a perception in some communities, part of mine included, that we are not addressing the weeds as we used to do. Are we just leaving them?

“I understand the issues with glyphosate, but when you’re representing a rural area when farming communities use glyphosate freely amongst their own people, they can’t see the issue. Are we not treating the weeds or are we looking at alternative ways?

“A lot of complaints I get is place is looking more unkempt than what they used to.”

These comments were echoed by councillor Sonia Benbow-Jones, Cefn ward, who also questioned what would be done differently to treat weeds this year.

Councillors were assured that weeds across the county borough would be treated more frequently this year due to a significant increase in staff in the council’s street scene department.

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “Last year was a particularly difficult year with staffing and resources, that’s why we are up to complement and I’ve been pushing that all from last winter.

“I’m confident that we have got the manpower this year to deal with all the issues that arise. I do agree that maybe it wasn’t as good as it should have been, but I am confident this year and measures have been put in place to address that.”

Brymbo councillor Paul Rogers asked what changes to the services would mean for community councils in the area who pay to have weeds removed from local play areas.

Cllr Rogers added: “Whilst you’ve said this machine can do some, it can’t do all. The community councils paying for a service may not feel they are getting that service if those play areas start to look untidy.

“It’s about managing those expectations and how are you going to deal with those complaints when they come in?”

Cllr Bithell noted that community councils should contact the environment department to find out what is covered during the various service agreements – adding that there had been some confusion in the last 12 months over what the community councillors were paying for.

He added: “As elected members we have to respect the views of our local constituents and many people say to us that they want the grass cut more frequently. It is about getting the balance right.

“It is a difficult challenge that we have to do. But we have declared a climate emergency and I and the council are committed to that.

“It is a slow process but we do need to accelerate some of the work we are doing to meet the demands quicker for our declaration. Some of it is about education, by educating ourselves to communicate effectively with our constituents and it is difficult, but it’s about getting the balance right.”

Committee members agreed to note the report and work undertaken so far and that an update will be provided to councillors at the end of the grass cutting seasons. It was also agreed that members express concerns about weed growth across the county borough.