Councillors to consider cost for extra street cleaning

This evening, town councillors will revisit the pressing issue of enhanced street cleaning as they consider evidence, costs, and community impact.

The discussion follows an earlier decision on October 28, 2024, to evaluate the feasibility of including these services in the 2025–26 business plan and budget.

At the October meeting of the full town council, councillors debated Powys County Council’s offer to provide additional street cleaning services, specifically pavement and highway sweeping. It was decided that councillors should gather evidence of need within their wards and return for further discussions during November’s budget planning sessions if the county council provided detailed cost information.

Ahead of tonight’s meeting, limited feedback has been received according to the report.

One councillor has highlighted issues along Milford Road, citing blocked drains caused by uncollected leaves, which can lead to flooding or icy conditions in winter.

The councillor also referenced a safety incident at the High Street and Back Lane junction, where a pedestrian injury occurred due to uncleaned leaves.

This feedback underscores the potential benefits of enhanced street cleaning but also raises questions about the broader scope of need across the town.

The report has outlined the the financial implications of the service offer. Pavement sweeping would be available at no extra charge for the equipment but material disposal costs will apply at £62 + VAT per tonne. Leaf collection is excluded due to volume constraints and would require additional sweeps using larger vehicles.

Highway sweeping in each council ward would incur £1,373.79 + VAT per sweep, totaling £6,686.95 + VAT for one sweep across all wards.

The report also states that both services would divert operative and management time from other town council priorities, as the town council's outdoor staff would use the equiptment.

Town councillors face the decision tonight - is the demonstrated need sufficient to justify the costs? And if so, should pavement sweeping, highway sweeping, or both be incorporated into the business plan for 2025–26?