Decision
RESOLVED:
To provide a total budget of up to
£120,000 from the ‘reactive coastal works’ budget
(approved by Cabinet in March 2025) and the CTAP budget, to
undertake the actions recommended in this report to address the
knotweed issues over the period between autumn 2025 and autumn
2027.
The actions will include:
- Complete a programme of four
containment foliar sprays by lance/stem injection between 2025 and
2027, for a 3-metre strip at both the base and the top of the
coastal slope
- Complete works for clearance of
promenade and licenced disposal of slump material containing
Japanese Knotweed
- Complete works to stabilise the base
of the coastal slope, landwards of the top of the sea wall in the
immediate proximity of promenade clearance works, to inhibit
further encroachment of slump material potentially containing
Japanese Knotweed
- Further investigate the potential
for annual foliar spraying, utilising appropriate methods, across
the entire area containing the Japanese Knotweed infestation, then
implement treatment by the most appropriate means (potentially
between 2025 and 2027)
- Implement and promote stakeholder
engagement and community awareness, through stakeholder
coordination, raising public awareness and education of the
knotweed issue
- Investigate approaches to
maintaining vegetative cover during treatment of Japanese Knotweed
and re-establishing vegetation post-treatment of Japanese Knotweed,
in order to reduce the potential impact
of rainfall-induced surface water run-off upon cliff
instability
- Implement long-term monitoring of
Japanese Knotweed infestation, covering 2025 to 2027 treatment
period and subsequent treatment/post treatment periods, as
required. Long-term monitoring to track changes in infestation size
and vegetation cover and review and refine initial treatment
approaches, potentially including further foliar spraying and/or
stem injection.
Reasons for the decision:
To ensure appropriate action is taken in a
timely manner to meet the Council’s legal responsibilities
and allow other works to proceed.