Issue - meetings

Wildlife Friendly Public Spaces

Meeting: 25/03/2021 - Executive (Item 76)

76 Wildlife Friendly Public Spaces

Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services.

Supporting documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

To note progress made towards the achievement of the aims set out in the September 2019 motion relating to wildlife friendly public spaces.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Bramhall, explained that the report provided an update on progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the wildlife friendly open spaces motion tabled at Council in September 2019.

 

Councillor Bramhall highlighted that:

·       Support of the motion had been in response to a motion passed by Surrey County Council in July 2019 which sought to improvement the management of verges for the benefit of wildlife

·       The report gave progress on initiatives implemented since the motion was passed

·       It remained necessary to be aware of cost and other implications which could arise due to future alterations to the Council’s environmental management practices

·       Officers were investigating means to extend the scope of improvements. Further discussions would take place with the County Council to agree the future focus and funding arrangements. A further update would be provided at an appropriate point in the future.

·       The Council was engaging with members of the public, and the Earlswood Common Management Steering Group were due to bring forward a management plan for Earlswood Common.

 

In response to questions from Visiting Members, it was confirmed that:

·       The Council was working closely with Surrey County Council to achieve the aims of the motion. Within the past year, great strides forward had been made.

·       There was a need to carefully consider the frequency of grass cutting so that it was clear to residents that it was a conscious effort to improve biodiversity. There were also financial implications in reducing the frequency of grass cutting due to additional specialist machinery being required to undertake the operation. The regime agreed with Surrey County Council was for four cuts a year for verges, and this was reduced in the areas listed in the report.

·       Some species of weed can only be removed through the use of glyphosate.

·       Future update reports would include details about the cost of the work being undertaken.

 

Councillor Bramhall explained that Officers were knowledgeable and concerned about the biodiversity in the Borough. This was evidenced by the good work they had done, including giving a clear steer to enable good decision making.

 

RESOLVED:

 

To note progress made towards the achievement of the aims set out in the September 2019 motion relating to wildlife friendly public spaces.