EXTRA cash is likely to be pumped into improving the appearance of public spaces across the BCP council area.

The investment will tackle weeds and grass cutting, improve street cleaning and litter picking, take action against fly tipping and invest in additional CCTV.

It is also likely to improve or replace benches and seats, planters and other street furniture and work with business to cut back on the use of advertising boards. The number of public toilets needed will also be investigated and measures taken to improved public safety and encourage a sense of pride in local areas.

For the first time the area’s 63,000 gullies have been mapped and a maintenance programme is being put in place to keep them clean and free-running.

The ‘cleaner, greener, safer’ proposals could cost an extra £514,000 this year; £3.8m in 22/23 and £2.4m per year after that, if approved later this year.

Said council leader Drew Mellor at Monday evening’s overview and scrutiny committee: “When we became the administration 11 months ago were we said that bringing a pride of place was fundamental to what we wanted to do.”

He said feedback on the idea during a consultation has been positive: “We’ve listened and now we are investing,” he said.

Most councillors welcomed the proposals although there were some concerns about taking further cash from a reserve fund to pay for the immediate spending this year.  Cllr Mike Brook said the spending proposals has become “almost profligate” and urged caution – a charge denied by the council leader: “We are absolutely committed and we understand our budget position and are investing in our priority to make this a world-class place,” he said.

Environmental concerns came from Green Cllr Chris Rigby who appealed for the council not to use glyphosate for its £200,000 weed control programme – but to explore more environmentally-friendly methods instead. He claimed its use might be harmful, especially in play areas and close to water courses and said that some councils had banned it.

Cllr Mellor promised that he would investigate the alternatives although a report on weed control suggests that all alternatives to glyphosate are likely to be much more expensive and less effective.