Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a Notice of Motion to Council in July 2015 to designate Worcestershire as a pollinator- friendly county.  The details were set out in the report.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

(a)     The Cabinet Member for the Environment introduced the report and commented that the Council was trying to address the loss of habitat by ensuring that the county was pollinator-friendly. Climate change had had a negative impact on the distribution of species of insects and efforts were being made to ensure that existing species would remain in the long term. In 2014 the Council had signed up to the National Pollinator Strategy but more work was required to educate the local population as to the value of pollinators. The Council aimed to take a lead role working with local nature partnerships to secure funding and create education plans. Forty Three roadside verges had been designated as nature reserves and the Council was also looking at establishing nature sites on fields at the edge of farmland, school playing fields, and industrial parks. The Council ensured that it used safe herbicide compounds. Planning was important and the Green Infrastructure Partnership would continue to work with Planning Authorities to influence local planning policy and developments to ensure green infrastructure was delivered 

(b)    The future of pollinators had an important impact on the county particularly in terms of its contribution to the agricultural economy and the quality of life for residents. Parish councils should take a positive role in encouraging pollinator-friendly activities in their local community

(c)     A Member from outside the Cabinet commented emphasised the importance of rivers and canals in the preservation of wildlife. A joint County/District Council report in 2000 recognised the importance of managing canals as conservation areas. Help was available for interested parties, it was just a question of knowing where to find it. It was important that the Canals and Rivers Trust was involved in the work being undertaken. A forum in the Spring next year would help to bring together all relevant parties to share information and contacts    

(d)    A Member from outside the Cabinet expressed concern that there was a culture of neatness which led to verges being cut too often and beyond what was required for road safety which had a negative impact on wildlife

(e)    The Cabinet Member for the Environment acknowledged the importance of rivers and canals to wildlife and this was a matter being considered in liaison with the Local Nature Partnership. He welcomed the suggestion of a Forum and would set arrangements in place for Spring next year. He recognised that on occasion, there had been an over-zealous approach to verge cutting and he would address this with the highways department and contractors. However generally this was as a result of confusion rather than financial gain. Efforts would be made to improve communication.

RESOLVED: that the principles behind the Notice of Motion are accepted and it is given effect by endorsing:

(a)        the current work being undertaken to ensure Worcestershire is a pollinator-friendly county; and

(b)       the actions proposed in paragraphs 20-31 of the report to increase pollinator-friendly habitats.