Decision details

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) on the continuation of this agency agreement.

The current Grounds and Trees Maintenance Highways Agency Agreement with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) would expire on 31 March 2019.  The Council had maintained HCC verges, hedges, shrubs and trees for over twenty five years via an Agency Agreement.

In discussion with the County Council the Borough Council had reviewed how the new Agency Agreement specification and payments should be determined within the Agreement and these negotiations had now been completed.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the Cabinet agrees to continue with the long running Agency Agreement with Hertfordshire County Council.

(2)     That the Cabinet agrees to the revisions to the tree maintenance requirements contained within the new draft Agency Agreement as summarised in the exempt report.

(3)     That the Cabinet agrees to the Agency Agreement operating from 1 April 2019 until determined or varied by the mutual agreement of the parties in writing or either party determining the Agreement by giving the other at least two year’s notice in writing to expire on 31 March in any year.

(4)     That the Cabinet agrees to the revised annual reimbursements from Hertfordshire County Council to the Borough Council for work performed as part of the Agency Agreement.

(5)     That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services), in consultation with the Executive Member (Environment and Planning), to approve the final draft of the Agency Agreement.