Council Votes to Pause Chemical Weed Spraying Plans

Cornwall Council has voted overwhelmingly to pause plans to reintroduce chemical weed treatment on public land, after growing concern from residents, councillors and town and parish councils across the county.

At a full meeting of the council yesterday, Tuesday 21st April, a motion calling for the proposals to be reconsidered passed by 61 votes to seven.

What Was Proposed?

The council had been considering reintroducing targeted chemical weed treatment to manage weeds on streets, footpaths and kerbsides across Cornwall. The plans sparked considerable public backlash, with criticism focused not only on the use of chemicals but on how the proposals had been communicated to local town and parish councils, and the limited time those bodies were given to respond.

The Vote

The motion was submitted by Cllr Drew Creek and seconded by Cllr Karen La Borde. It called for the reintroduction to be paused to allow for greater consultation to take place. The result was decisive, with 61 councillors voting in favour and just seven against.

What the Council Leader Said

Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost acknowledged that the process had fallen short of what was expected. “We understand that people have very strong feelings about our public realm proposals,” he said.

“Members have expressed clear concerns, and we have also heard the strength of feeling reflected in the public questions raised today, including about the way these plans were communicated to town and parish councils.”

He added: “We accept that the process was not good enough, and we recognise the need for a clearer timetable.”

Leigh said the council’s responsibility remained to keep Cornwall’s streets, footpaths and kerbsides “safe, accessible and well maintained,” but acknowledged that “this must be done in a way that earns the confidence of members, town and parish councils and the wider public.”

He confirmed that cabinet colleagues would now carefully consider the points raised during the debate, including opt-out arrangements and how any next steps are communicated.

Other Motions Passed

Yesterday’s meeting also saw three further motions approved: one calling for improvements to dentistry provision in Cornwall, one on fair access to school transport for families in Mevagissey, and one calling on the Government not to ignore deprivation in Cornwall.

You can watch the full proceedings back via the council’s webcast service, and the full agenda is available to read online.