On 30 March 2026 all town and parish councils in Cornwall were notified that Cornwall Council will commence a programme of chemical weed treatment across Cornwall. Penzance Council was advised that ‘opting-out’ of this chemical weed treatment, which begins on 1st May, would only be possible based on very specific service requirements set by Cornwall Council, which would make Penzance Council’s own chemical-free weeding programme undeliverable.
Town and parish councils are required to set their budgets well in advance of the end of March. So, without the necessary resources, budget and licences required for Penzance Council to meet the opt out requirements at such short notice, councillors at the Leisure and Amenities Committee meeting on Monday 13 April raised a number of points, including the following:
- The lack of notice provided by Cornwall Council prior to making this change was utterly disappointing and was an example of extremely poor partnership working.
- Given the declaration of a climate emergency by Cornwall Council and its supposed commitment to nature, the decision to reimpose chemical weed spraying was extremely disheartening given the adverse impacts which it would have upon the wider nature and biodiversity of the area, in addition to potential health consequences for residents.
- It was acknowledged that it would be impossible for Penzance Council to ‘opt out’ of the proposed weed treatment programme as it simply did not have the resources, nor the various licences required, to do so, and it could not undertake to make those commitments within a legally binding contract.
Penzance Council expresses its dismay and dissatisfaction with Cornwall Council’s decision to use herbicides across Cornwall in spite of the known negative consequences for the climate crisis, the environment and the health of local residents.
Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds, added:
“Penzance Council was a pioneer in moving away from chemicals to manage street vegetation some years ago, so it’s hugely disappointing that Cornwall Council have unilaterally decided to resume chemical treatment at very short notice, effectively leaving us no scope to opt out. Residents can be assured though that Penzance Council’s current policy will continue to apply in our own parks, gardens and play areas.”
Penzance Council staff resource planned for this year’s weeding programme will now be directed towards improvements across our sites within the parish including the newly adopted Princess May Recreation Ground.
Penzance Council will monitor Cornwall Council’s weed treatment programme and evaluate the potential ability to ‘opt out’ in future years.
