Agenda item

There will be a presentation on this item. Slides are attached.

Stuart Gardiner, Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery (Green Transformation) and Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

·  Background

·  Why does it matter? Impacts of Wildlife loss

·  Opportunities

·  The need for an Action Plan

·  What will the Action Plan be?

·  Vision and Priorities – Nature Positive by 2030

·  Key Messages

·  Proposed Structure

·  Action Plan Examples

·  Timeline

·  Plans for Engagement

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Bromley asked about the Action Plan regarding planning. The officer explained that these are preliminary discussions with indicative actions that may not be final.

Councillor Bromley asked if we work with water companies and what Wessex Water are doing to improve water quality. The officer explained that there are good lines of engagement with Wessex Water and that they are keen to improve water quality with a drive to invest in nature-based solutions.

Councillor Hirst stated that he is keen to see momentum on this piece of work and, regarding consultation, are we going to construct a map of key stakeholders with a gap analysis and grow the custodial role. The officer explained that yes partnership working will be set up, there is value in empowering communities. We also have some ideas for enabling Parish and Town Councils. The Cabinet Member added that we are working with both large organisations and small local groups. The officer stated that we are looking to facilitate support groups within the City of Bath.

Councillor Hirst asked if any improvements regarding ecologic environments in terms of our list of buildings can be documented and ensure the planning system takes this into account. The Cabinet Member stated that we are already doing this and will be bringing forward a list. The officer added that we are looking at sites the Council owns to see how they can better manage nature. There has been a lack of capacity in national monitoring.

Councillor Dr Kumar stated that nature is collapsing at an alarming rate and stated that there seemed to be hollow words from the administration when residents are forced to drive miles to a tip.

There was some discussion around decisions made by previous administrations.

Councillor Crossley stated that the Action Plan was a good start. He mentioned the importance of working with residents, adding ‘gardens, residents and streets’ to the plan. He mentioned that shrubs were given away at one point and asked how we could work with residents and their gardens. The Cabinet Member stated that this was a good idea and can be added to the action plan. The officer confirmed that utilizing gardens is in the current draft of the plan. Councillor Walker mentioned that 500 trees had been distributed in Peasedown St John. The Cabinet Member stated that the Council do run tree give aways.

Councillor Crossley mentioned his concern about 6ft timber fencing being put up regularly and the need for people to understand how gardens connect with others.

Councillor O Brien asked if there was any monitoring of uncut verges some of which had become tinder dry in the summer and stated that it would be useful to distribute seeds early in the season to Parish and Town Council for spreading on the verges. Councillor Walker asked that it be checked that planting be done in the right places so as not to compromise road vision/safety. The officer referenced the BathScape project. The Cabinet Member added that she is working with Parish and Town Council’s to monitor verges.

Councillor O Brien stated that this was an opportunity to encourage people to provide holes for hedgehogs. She hoped that more beavers would benefit rivers. The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor O Brien for the suggestions and comments and stated that these ideas can be picked up.

Councillor Malloy made the following points:

·  Where possible we could develop community gardens and, in some instances, allotments could be used to grow shared food.

·  It is a worrying trend that people are paving their front gardens which reduces green space. Councillor O Brien added that there are some issues with current planning rules on this.

·  There are examples of initiatives where people are encouraged to break up stones in front gardens and grow plants.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Malloy for raising these points, some of which could be tackled through the Local Plan. The officer added that there is information on the Council website about sustainable urban drainage systems.

The Chair thanked the officers and Cabinet Member.