Cornwall Council votes to pause weed spraying plans after concerns raised

Cornwall councillors have voted to pause and reconsider proposals to resume the use of glyphosate for weed control across the Duchy.

A motion calling for the public realm weed treatment plans to be reviewed was strongly supported at a full council meeting, following concerns from members and the public, including a protest outside County Hall in Truro.

Radio Newquay understands the motion is advisory, meaning the council’s cabinet is not legally required to act on it.

The debate centred on proposals to reintroduce targeted chemical weed treatment using glyphosate, as well as the timeframe given to town and parish councils to respond and wider confidence in the process.

The motion, submitted by Drew Creek and seconded by Karen La Borde, called for the plans to be paused to allow further consultation. It was carried by 61 votes to seven.

Council leader Leigh Frost said the authority would now take time to consider the concerns raised.

“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.

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

“Our responsibility is to keep Cornwall’s streets, footpaths and kerbsides safe, accessible and well maintained.

“But we also recognise that this must be done in a way that earns the confidence of members, town and parish councils and the wider public.

“We’ll now carefully consider the points raised both in the motion and during the debate, including opt-out arrangements and how any next steps are communicated.”

Earlier this week, Newquay Town Council published a letter sent to cabinet member Dan Rogerson criticising the timeframe given to local councils.

In the letter, the town council described the timescale as “tokenistic and poorly thought through at best”.

It said the period from 30 March to 20 April, which included the Easter break, did not provide enough time to respond or develop alternative plans.

The council added that if Cornwall Council was “serious about the issue”, it should allow more time for town and parish councils to explore non-chemical methods of weed control, including working together on alternative approaches.