Thank you for your recent FOI / EIR request.  Please find attached an
acknowledgement for this request.

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Dear Chris Holbrook

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information received on the 30^th of
October 2018. We have considered your request and enclose the following
information:

What quantities and generic types of herbicides were purchased by the
Council in each of the past four years? For example, a type of herbicide
might be "glyphosate" or "sodium chlorate". If generic types are not
readily available, brand names or manufacturer's names and product codes
will suffice.

The Council have used the following products containing Glyphosate: Mascot
Hi-Aktiv Amenity, Glyfos Dakar Pro and Asteroid Pro over the last 4 years.

In 2018 the Dakar Pro was replaced by Asteroid Pro.

For the Mascot Hi Aktiv we procure around 500 litres per annum which is
used to control weeds on amenity and public open spaces.

In relation to the Dakar Pro this is used by the Highway Weed Control
Contractor to treat weeds on the authorities adopted highways, roads and
streets.

2014 – 535kg

2015 – 531kg

2016 – 521kg

2017 – 569kg

So far in 2018 the usage for Asteroid Pro has been 208 litres.

What policies and/or working practices does the council have in regard to
applying these chemicals in the following contexts:

a) Adjacent to private property

b) In recreational spaces such as parks

c) In and adjacent to schools

d) In and adjacent to children's play areas?

For the Mascot Hi Aktive herbicide these are used in conjunction with the
manufactures Safety Data Sheet and is applied by suitably qualified staff
trained to PA1 / PA6A & PA6AW

 The Council has a Corporate Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
(COSHH) Policy which is based on the legal duties imposed by the Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) and the
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Staff also adhere to the Parks
Health & Safety File and Parks Health & Safety Handbook ‘An Essential
Guide for Parks Staff’

In relation to treating the Council’s adopted roads and streets with
herbicide the contract for this work is carried out as part of the
Council’s Procurement Framework for Highway Weed Control. This is
currently undertaken by Complete Weed Control who provide a specialist
weed control service. The company specialises in the precise application
of herbicide by means of a WeedIT machine which applies herbicide by
computerised infra red spot treatment. Staff engaged on the Highway Weed
Control Contract hold NPTC PA1, PA6A or PA6AW certificates in competence
and the Contract manager holds a BASIS storekeepers certificate. The
comprehensive contract documentation covers all areas of Health & Safety,
Method Statements, PPE and Risk Assessments. The contractor sends in a
weekly record of treated locations.

We supply this information based on your original request.  If this is not
what you wanted or if you feel we have not fully understood your request
please do not hesitate to contact me to clarify your exact requirements.

If you have any queries or concerns or are in any way dissatisfied with
the handling of your request please contact us.

Yours sincerely

Simon Beacham

Area Parks Officer

Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental Information Regulations
2004

You have the right to appeal against our decision.     
If you wish to appeal please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and
send to:

Corporate Information Governance Unit
Caerphilly county borough council,
Penallta House
Tredomen Park
Hengoed. CF82 7PG

Appeals will be determined by an appropriate senior officer.    If you are
unhappy with that decision you have the right to appeal to:

Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales
2nd Floor
Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH

Tel: 029 2067 8400
Fax: 029 2067 8399
Email: [1][email address]

Website: [2]www.ico.org.uk

Re-use of information without permission may infringe the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988. Re-use can include, but is not limited to,
making multiple copies, publishing and issuing copies of the information
to a wider audience. If you would like to re-use copyright material owned
by Caerphilly County Borough Council, please contact us. Authorisation to
re-use copyright material not owned by this Authority should be sought
directly from the copyright owner.

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