Agenda item

Councillor Mansell proposed the motion with Councillor Darch seconding the motion. Councillor Mansell stated that the human and natural worlds were completely intertwined, with our reliance on nature to live and to stay healthy. Scientists have been telling us we have been over-exploiting the earth and altering it from a local to a global level. Between 1970 -2016, many wildlife populations reduced by two thirds. Species extinction rates are many times higher than historical averages. The causes of this include overuse and climate change. We currently face several global emergencies such as the climate crisis and Covid-19 which were linked in many ways. Somerset West and Taunton Council could play its part by backing the motion which pave the way for an Action plan and costed projects following on.

Councillor Darch stated that it was pleasing this was a cross-party initiative and that the declaration of an ecological emergency would complement the existing strength of the Council work in this area. She felt that the Climate Strategy coming forward meant that there was momentum to build on in this area. Expectations would have to be managed as the Council would still have to work within planning constraints. This motion would make our policy and actions around ecological impacts explicit and firmly embedded and push the Council to do more. The importance of bringing local community groups along was also important, such as Longrun Meadow, Wellington Transition Town and Netherclay Reserve.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         Councillors suggested minor amendments to resolution seven which were all accepted for inclusion by the proposer and seconder.

·         The Leader of the Council welcomed this motion which built on the work already being undertaken and that work was already underway e.g. Design Guide and Management Plan for Open Spaces and Parks including tree maintenance and the roll-out of the Recycle More scheme.

·         Councillor Habgood read out statements obtained from the two local Members of Parliament.

·         The importance of insects in pollination was noted.

·         A suggestion was made of a campaign to increase the rates of recycling.

·         Concern was raised of the state of England’s rivers, with even the River Tone being polluted.

·         A query was raised as to the difference between the Climate and Ecological emergencies.

·         The link between the Planning system and ecology was discussed.

Resolved to:

1.    Declare an ecological emergency.

2.    Address ecological issues alongside climate emergency actions and ensure that opportunities to gain co-benefits from addressing both the climate and the ecological emergencies are maximised.

3.    Add ecological implications alongside those for climate and sustainability in committee and council reports.

4.    Where possible, embed climate action and ecological initiatives within all council work areas, including COVID-19 recovery projects and programmes.

5.    Promote woodland planting and rewilding in the right places and with the right species, peatland restoration, natural flood management, wild flower meadows, and habitat creation and restoration. As well as being important for biodiversity, these actions can often have an important co-benefit of storing carbon, so helping to address climate change.

6.    Reduce energy and material consumption by promoting waste reduction, reuse and recycling, product durability, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Avoid consumption that threatens further destruction of globally important wildlife habitats and the use of single-use plastics without effective and on-going recycling in place.

7.    Work with local, county, regional and national partners, including land managers and DEFRA, Town and Parish Councils and the two Local Members of Parliament to increase wildlife habitats, green infrastructure and natural capital in Somerset West and Taunton.

8.    Ensure that addressing the climate and ecological emergencies and nature recovery are strategic priorities for planning policies and design guides for new development, including by identifying appropriate areas for habitat restoration and biodiversity gain.

9.    Manage Council services, buildings and land in a biodiversity-friendly manner, including by reviewing use of harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, and taking opportunities to create new wildlife habitats.

10.Provide advice for local communities on how to incorporate biodiversity, green infrastructure and natural capital into Neighbourhood Plans and other initiatives.

11.Encourage residents to take biodiversity measures in their own homes by, for example, wildlife gardening and home composting.

12.Agree with the principles set out in recommendations 1-11 and requests that officers do a feasibility study and draw up a costed plan as part of the budget setting process for 2021/22 onwards. This would be to allow the production of an ecological emergency action plan and to report annually to Scrutiny Committee, Executive and Full Council on progress, continuing work and future projects to address both the climate and ecological emergencies.