Horticultural practices

Thank you for contacting East Ayrshire Council.  This is an automated

response to advise you that your email has been received.

Due to the situation regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources within the

Council are being prioritised and it may take longer, than the standard

timescale of responding within 20 workings days, to reply to your freedom

of information request.  Your request will be responded to in due course

unless you inform us that you have withdrawn your request at this
time.    

If your enquiry concerns any other matter, your email will be passed to
the

relevant section for appropriate action to be taken.

Regards,

FOI Team.

show quoted sections

CLASSIFICATION: PUBLIC

Dear James,

Request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

I refer to your correspondence dated 16th August 2020 requesting information in relation to horticultural practices.

The Council is treating your request as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and can respond as follows:

1.Does the council manage the grounds for schools, nurseries and hospitals? If so, please provide a list where the use of glyphosate is permitted on their grounds.

Schools - see attached list.
We are permitted to use glyphosate in all school areas maintained by Outdoor Services.
The Council does not manage hospital grounds.

2.How much does the council spend on mowing grass every year? (Please include staff costs of people employed to undertake this (either contractors or council staff) and equipment costs).

This is included in our Grounds maintenance budget which is;

2018/19 1,987,070
2019/20 2,037,220
2020/21 2,048,640

3.How much grassed open space (both informal and formal) does the council manage and maintain in total?

5.6 million m2

4.How much does the council spend on purchasing bedding plants for floral displays and where are the plants sourced from?

The cost for bedding plants and floral display 2020 was £24,077. These are procured through a framework agreement.

5.How much does the council spend on the maintenance of these floral displays per year?

This is included in our Grounds maintenance budget (see above Q2).

6.On average, how many complaints does the council get about weeds every year?

2019 there were 53 complaints relating to weeds however some of these were passed to roads colleagues.
2020 there have been 34 complaints to date relating to weeds again some of these would be passed to our roads colleagues.

7.Does the council use peat-based compost? If so, how much is used each year?

Yes. Approximately 200-300 bags per year.

8.How is the council implementing the ‘Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017-2027’ (https://www.nature.scot/pollinator-strat...

n/a

I trust this information has been of assistance to you and I have attached a leaflet to confirm your rights.

Kind regards

Donna Phelps
Freedom of Information Team
East Ayrshire Council
Council Headquarters
London Road
Kilmarnock
KA3 7BU

show quoted sections

CLASSIFICATION: OFFICIAL

Dear James,

Thank you for your email.

I will check with the relevant department and respond to you as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Donna

show quoted sections

CLASSIFICATION: PUBLIC

Dear James,

I can confirm that the bags are 50 litres each.

I trust this is of assistance.

Kind regards
Donna

show quoted sections