Polesworth Parish Council's policy towards the provision of grit bins is to install bins exclusively for use on pedestrian footways where the path is on an incline so steep as to pose a potential hazard in icy or snowy weather. However, a bin may only be purchased and installed on footways that have been adopted by the local Highway Authority (Warwickshire County Council), and where the County Council is prepared to deliver and maintain a regular supply of grit. The Parish Council cannot install grit bins on private roads. Polesworth Parish Council also does not provide grit bins for use on individual driveways.
In the past, the Council has waived its policy and installed grit bins for use on footways that are not on steep inclines only where there are a large number of elderly residents living on that road. Even in such circumstances, the co-operation of Warwickshire County Council has to be obtained before a bin may be installed.
It is not the Parish Council's policy to provide grit bins for use on the highway. The gritting of highways is the responsibility of the Highway Authority, Warwickshire County Council. Parish councils have no legal powers to undertake any such works. Similarly, parish councils do not have any statutory obligation to provide grit bins for use on public footpaths. They may, however, do so through their discretionary powers, under such conditions as they deem appropriate.
Polesworth Parish Council is happy to consider applications from residents in the Parish who wish to have a grit bin installed for use on steeply inclined public footways. Anyone wishing to make an application should contact the council. Unfortunately, given the cost of grit bins, the Council is unable to maintain a stock of bins and an order will have to be placed should an application be approved.