Appendix 5: sustainability implications – controlled-droplet application and traditional glyphosate application

This guidance is to support project managers when assessing their projects for sustainability and climate impact and to ensure projects are supporting the wider goals of the city’s Carbon Neutral 2030 commitment.

Proposal/advice title: weed management in Brighton & Hove Using either: · a controlled-droplet application and less glyphosate than traditional glyphosate to manage and remove weeds from across the city · traditional glyphosate to manage and remove weeds from across the city

Directorate: Economy, Environment & Culture

Date: January 2024

Sustainability theme	Consideration	Relevant  Yes/No?	If ‘Yes’, is impact positive or negative?	Briefly describe	If negative, briefly describe mitigation measures
Energy	ü Use renewable sources of energy (renewables that are alternatives to combustion), including clean energy providers ü Consider potential for generating renewable energy ü Minimise energy consumption	Unknown	Unknown	It is unknown what the power source is for the equipment used until the procurement process is completed.	The invitation to tender could give extra weighting to contractors that use renewable sources of energy to power their equipment.
Sustainable travel and transport	ü Travel is kept to a minimum but where necessary active and sustainable travel is prioritised for people and deliveries/freight, meaning walking and cycling, public transport, car sharing, electric or low emission vehicles including e-cargo bikes and sustainable logistics solutions ü Consider use of shared mobility scheme options, like BTN BikeShare, car clubs, vehicle leasing ü Consider practices that eliminate or minimise the need to travel, like homeworking and local co-working hubs, remote access to services, like education, health ü Any new Controlled Parking Zone should consider the provision for electric vehicle charging infrastructure	Unknown	Unknown	It is unknown how the contractors will move around the city until the procurement process is completed.	The invitation to tender could give extra weighting to contractors that use sustainable travel to complete the work.
Sustainable procurement	The council requires its suppliers to conduct their operations in a sustainable manner, in line with our own priorities and commitments. These can be found in our Sustainable Procurement Policy.  To ensure that our suppliers share our commitment to reducing the impact of the products and services they provide you can: ü read the council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy ü have a look at the council’s Social Value Framework on p13 to 15 which lists Environmental Sustainability examples in the last column ü detail any sustainability requirements you want the winning bidder to follow and/ or deliver as part of the contract in your specification ü include a sustainability quality question in your tender ü consider adding a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that is linked to reducing environmental impact ü if you’re buying food for the council or procuring a catering contract, read the council’s Buying Standards for Catering Contracts; and include these requirements in your specification For further help and advice, please contact the BHCC Procurement Team	Yes	Positive and negative	Positive The approach to procurement will follow the council’s policies. Negative The item being procured will not follow the Sustainable Procurement Policy. This is picked up in more detail below, in terms of the product being procured and its impact.	The invitation to tender could include a social value element and bidders will be asked to provide their ideas on how they can achieve this. This could, for example, include activities to offset the biodiversity impacts of the item being procured.
Circular waste management practices and procurement	ü Consumption and use of virgin materials is eliminated or kept to an absolute minimum ü Consider leasing of equipment, materials, resources and property rather than purchasing or building new ü Use of 100% reused / repurposed materials ü Packaging and wasted materials are eliminated, kept to a minimum and made from renewable materials ü Ensure food waste is minimised or re-distributed to benefit local communities	Yes	Positive	Use of contractors for weed management and their equipment, means it could be reused on other contracts.
Sustainable economy	ü Support local economy and local employment ü Consider impact to local businesses and high streets ü Consider opportunities for quality green skills development and training ü Consider circular principles that are outlined in the BHCC Circular Economy Route Map	Yes	Positive	The soft market testing indicates that there are local companies that can provide this service and therefore there will be local employment opportunities.
Health, safety, wellbeing and local communities	ü Promote healthy, safe and secure environments in which to live and work ü Consider impact of noise, stress and air quality to local residents, building occupants and communities	Yes	Positive and negative	Positive More of the highway / pavement will be free of weeds, making it more accessible for people to move around, including those in wheelchairs, with mobility issues or pushing prams. Manual removal of weeds is hard on the body. Removing weeds using a weed management application will mean that this risk is negated. Negative Section 13 of the main report sets out some of the public health implications in relation to the use of glyphosate. The evidence suggests there may be a health risk. The adverse impacts of glyphosate are greater when using a traditional glyphosate application, compared to a controlled-droplet application.	The contract management arrangements will ensure the contractor complies with the Control of Pesticides Act 1986, the HSE guidance and any new legislation introduced during the contract duration. Those undertaking weed treatment will be wearing full and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Risk Assessment Method Statements will be prepared by the contractor and agreed by the council, which will set out mitigations to reduce any risk posed to residents.
Sustainable water	ü Minimise water consumption and ensure water efficiency measures are in place ü Consider water harvesting and reuse ü Consider impact to water pollution from chemicals use, particularly in relation to vehicle use, cleaning and maintenance ü Consider use of sustainable urban drainage for minimising impact of water pollution and surface water flooding, in particular, permeable surfaces ü Use drought tolerant, native planting schemes to minimise irrigation requirements	Yes	Negative	If a weed treatment is used, there is a risk that this enters the water table. The adverse impacts of glyphosate are greater when using a traditional glyphosate application, compared to a controlled-droplet application.	The contract management arrangements will ensure the contractor complies with the Control of Pesticides Act 1986, the HSE guidance and any new legislation introduced during the contract duration.
Biodiversity and nature conservation	ü Seek to protect, enhance and create natural habitats to support local species and wildlife ü Ensure pesticides and herbicides are not used unless in exceptional circumstances ü Consider ecosystem service impacts and appropriate mitigation ü Consider use of nature-based solutions ü Support the ambitions and aspirations of The Living Coast Biosphere ü Consider how local communities can be engaged and benefit from improvements to their natural environment	Yes	Negative	If a weed treatment is used, there is a risk to biodiversity and nature conservation. Brighton & Hove City Council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2018. To address this, the council committed to enhancing and improving access to the most important natural habitats, including chalk grassland, woodland and hedgerows within the city. The reintroduction of glyphosate for weed removal will impact on the council’s ability to address the climate and biodiversity emergency. One of the Strategic Risks (SR36) is not taking all actions required to address climate and ecological change and transitioning our city to carbon neutral by 2030. This was reported as red to Audit & Standards Committee in January 2023. The council is a lead partner in The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere. One of the key objectives is the conservation of biodiversity. The reintroduction of glyphosate for weed removal will impact on the conservation of biodiversity. The 2012 Brighton & Hove Local Biodiversity Action Plan identifies specifies and habitats of importance and notes pesticide / herbicide / chemical impacts and threats on habitats and species of local importance. The reintroduction of glyphosate for weed removal will impact on the delivery of this Action Plan. Supplementary Planning Document 11, in its notes on habitat creation and enhancement, says “chemical applications should be avoided”. The adverse impacts of glyphosate are greater when using a traditional glyphosate application, compared to a controlled-droplet application.	The contract management arrangements will ensure the contractor complies with the Control of Pesticides Act 1986, the HSE guidance and any new legislation introduced during the contract duration. The report is recommending the continuation of the current policy not to use glyphosate in the city’s parks and open spaces where leisure activities and dog walking are undertaken and where there are playgrounds. The exception to this is when it is used to manage invasive species. This will protect a substantial habitat for wildlife and pollinator insects.