The Director of Neighbourhoods introduced this report. The Committee had approved the Council’s Environment & Climate Emergency Policy at its previous meeting in March and since then officers had been developing the arrangements to progress the Policy’s objectives and commitments. This report provided the Committee with an update on progress being made with the biodiversity, the biological variety and variability of life, aspect of the Policy. The report focused on 2 of the Council’s biodiversity commitments within the policy, the ‘Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Strategy,’ which was launched in July 2020 and ‘Transforming our Open Spaces and Enhancing Biodiversity,’ including the current position with the development of the Council’s pollinator plan for roadside verges and parks green spaces and the new approach to grounds maintenance with a blend of reduced grass cutting and cessation of maintenance regimes being implemented during 2021-2022.

Members had noted messages of approval from residents about the policy and actions but had particular concerns, notably the rewilding of residential areas near river banks which made movement difficult and appeared to be attracting pests.

The Chair thanked officers who had undergone a compete change in how their work was judged, from aiming at neatness to encouraging insects and wild flora.

Councillor Bruce Berry proposed an additional resolution that ‘this Environment, Climate Change and Transport Committee requests officers to revisit the rewilding policy with a view to reintroducing maintenance programs in residential areas and in particular areas close to river banks such as the Arrowe Brook and the River Birkett both of which have seen an increase in rodent activity and dogs plagued by ticks from the long grass since the cessation of grass cutting. We also seek assurance that long grass once cut is collected and removed off site.’ 

This was seconded by Councillor Michael Collins.

In response to questions officers confirmed that there would be a budget implication for this and there was no machine to collect and remove grass cuttings off site but they could revisit the issues as part of the review.

The proposal was put to the vote with four for, six against and one abstention so was declared lost.

Councillor Liz Grey proposed an additional recommendation:

“(3) Learning from the work in this report, Committee requests regular engagement and consultation in Communities through their elected representatives.”

This was seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes.

Resolved (10:1) - That

(1)  the contents of the report on the progress being made against the Council’s biodiversity commitments be noted.

(2)  note the development of the Council’s Pollinator Plan and request that the Director presents the Plan to Committee for approval this autumn.

(3)  learning from the work in this report, Committee requests regular engagement and consultation in Communities through their elected representatives.