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Cabinet received report ES/0126 by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment, who firstly highlighted that the Environment was one of the Council's top priorities and, as such, the Council needed to identify where meaningful responses could be made to the Climate Emergency, the Council's Environment Policy and general public opinion.
Cabinet was advised that grounds maintenance services for the Council were provided by the Council's partner, Norse. The remainder was managed by a combination of Parish Councils, Town Councils, Suffolk County Council, Coastal Management and private landowners.
Public opinion, the recent declaration of the Climate Emergency, the Business Plan and the Council's Environment Policy all suggested reviewing in greater detail the grounds maintenance programme. Specifically, concerns had been raised in some localities regarding the environmental impact of a regular cutting regime, for example, in terms of carbon emissions, and dialogue had commenced between the District and some parish councils to explore alternatives to the current regime.
A number of trials were therefore proposed for 2020, identifying where it may be possible to reduce the need to spray herbicides, promote wildlife diversity, and support insect populations. Reducing the carbon footprint, increasing bio-diversity and promoting a greener environment were the key outputs of a revised grounds maintenance programme if successfully delivered.
The Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment highlighted that he was seeking Cabinet's approval for a small number of pilots, where alternatives to the current cut / strim / spray programme could be evaluated, in conjunction with Norse, expert bodies, residents, and parish and town councils to promote a greener and more environmentally friendly grounds maintenance programme. This would initially be trialled over the course of a year to 18 months in a few test locations, the results of which would determine the overall District wide strategy that would be employed.
The Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment stated that a pilot would begin through the 2020 growing season in Saxmundham and Southwold, where the Council would ask locals to feed back which areas of Council-owned land they would like the grass cut less. There would be fewer cuts, and the use of herbicides and other chemicals reduced. Key areas where growing would be inappropriate, such as roadside verges, would continue to be maintained as normal. Councillor Mallinder emphasised that if the grass was cut less it did not mean that there would be no maintenance; he reiterated that he wished to do this because it would increase biodiversity, that would increase insects and, visually, it would look amazing. Councillor Mallinder went on to state that this was a really good step for the Council; East Suffolk Council was a Council that walked the walk and talked the talk. He added that this was not a cost cutting exercise and it would be important to explain the proposal to residents. In conclusion, Councillor Mallinder stated that it was hoped that a group of volunteers in each of the two towns would monitor the areas where wildlife was being encouraged to flourish. Councillor Mallinder gave his thanks to the ward Members, Councillor Beavan and Councillor Fisher, for their support.
During debate Cabinet gave its full support for the proposal, but emphasised the need for full engagement with the public / local residents. Cabinet emphasised the need for safety maintenance to be undertaken, as appropriate. Cabinet also suggested that it would be appropriate to approach Suffolk County Council in respect of working together to ensure a consistent approach to environmental initiatives.
Councillor Beavan commended Councillor Mallinder for his approach and he gave thanks for the opportunity in Southwold.
Councillor Byatt endorsed the proposals and reiterated the need for good communications to ensure understanding by the the public / residents. Councillor Byatt made a plea for the weeds in gutters to be dealt with.
Councillor Fisher advised Cabinet that the initiative had already been applauded by the residents of Saxmundham.
RESOLVED
- That East Suffolk Council runs pilot schemes through the 2020 growing season in Southwold and Saxmundham, where a less intensive cutting approach is trialled, and results monitored by the ecology team.
- That consultation is carried out with Town and Parish Councils to identify areas where local residents may support a less intensive cutting schedule.
- That these pilots are cost neutral – with neither an increase or decrease in the grounds maintenance budget.
- That the ecology team at East Suffolk is engaged in these pilots to monitor and report on any positive effect of reduced cutting on wildlife populations.
- That East Suffolk explores how to move towards a “no spraying” policy as standard across the District, and further identifies ways in which this change can be made cost neutral
- That work is carried out through the Green Print Forum to identify volunteer groups that may be prepared to take on the work of monitoring and maintaining areas of natural space on behalf of their local community.