FOI request (FOIR-716583002)

Herbicide use

Requested Wed 21 May 2025
Responded Thu 05 June 2025

I am writing to enquire about the Council’s use of herbicides in 2024. I would be very grateful if you could please respond to my questions below:

1. Does the Council, or contractors acting on behalf of the Council, use herbicides in the following areas:

a. Parks and green spaces YES/NO

b. Cemeteries YES/NO

c. Playing fields YES/NO

d. Road verges and roundabouts YES/NO

e. Hard surfaces such as pavements and highways YES/NO

f. Housing estates YES/NO

2. What volume of herbicides did the Council, or contractors acting on behalf of the Council, use from 1st January to 31st December 2024? Please answer in litres or kilograms.

3. Does the council, or contractors acting on behalf of the Council, use glyphosate-based herbicides? YES/NO

4. How much money did the Council spend on costs associated to buying and using herbicides from 1st January to 31st December 2024? Please include all costs, including but not limited to; the purchase of pesticide products, application equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), staff training and costs associated to outsourcing to contractors.

5a. Does the Council have a policy in place aimed at reducing or ending the use of herbicides on land under its control? YES/NO

5b. If YES, please provide a link to the policy or provide a hard copy if not available online.

---

Response

1. Does the council use herbicides in the following areas:

a. Parks and green spaces - YES

b. Cemeteries - YES

c. Playing Fields - NO

d. Road verges and roundabouts - NO, this is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council: www.eastsussex.gov.uk

e. Hard surfaces such as pavements - NO, this is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council: www.eastsussex.gov.uk

f. Housing Estates - NO, this is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council: www.eastsussex.gov.uk

2. What volume of herbicides did the council use? - Approximately 120 litres

3. Does the council use Glyphosate based herbicides? - YES as part of Japanese Knotweed management

4. How much money did the council spend on costs? - Approximately £7500, most of which was contractor costs for Japanese Knotweed management

5. Does the council have a policy in place? - NO