The Assistant Director for Parks and Environment introduced the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services which provided an operational evaluation of the Pollinator Plan pilot projects undertaken in summer 2021, including the plan for roadside verges and green spaces and the new approach to grounds maintenance.

Members expressed their thanks to officers who had fundamentally changed their thinking on grounds maintenance during the pandemic to embrace the change in focus.

Members were informed that

·  A number of sites had been swopped for other areas following residents’ complaints and a very small number of sites had been put forward in error.

·  A workshop for Members was to be arranged to plan for the following municipal year and to discuss suitable locations.

·  There were different understandings and impressions of the term ‘cessation’. There had been a one-off cut of all locations in the autumn of 2021 but this could not be guaranteed in future years.

The Chair proposed an amendment to delete ‘cessation’ and insert ‘strategy’. This was seconded by Councillor Chris Cook.

Resolved: That

(1)   the contents of the report be noted which will and be used to develop the Council’s Pollinator Plan to which will be presented to Committee for approval at a future meeting.

(2)  a workshop for Members be arranged, as a part of the development of the Council’s Pollinator Plan, to agree future pollinator strategy.