Agenda item

Under paragraph 3.22.7, Councillor Hoskin presented an altered motion to Council following cross party discussions.

The altered motion was as follows:

This Council recognises that there is an ecological and biodiversity crisis, and the natural world is under threat. In our county alone 76 species became extinct in the last 50 years¹. Insect populations have suffered drastic declines, with far-reaching consequences for both wildlife and people. With a third of our food crops pollinated by insects, there is a lot to lose. Much of our wildlife relies on insects for food. Without them, we risk the collapse of our natural world.

This growing ecological crisis is intrinsically linked to climate breakdown which is beginning to seriously affect the health of our environment and the wellbeing of residents.

In East Herts we have special responsibility for valuable wetland areas found in the Stort Valley, and the internationally important, Lea Valley Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site. Our chalk rivers are not yet protected by statutory designations but are under increasing threat from water abstraction and pollution, and so need special protection. A recent chalk stream survey by Salmon and Trout Conservation UK showed that numbers of mayflies, a key indicator species for river health, were down by 44 per cent when compared with 1998 data.

This Council believes that the consequences of biodiversity loss and ecological impacts, alongside the climate emergency, are so severe that one of our top priorities must be to put actions in place that help prevent these impacts from getting worse. We have already started to review what can be done to conserve and enhance biodiversity, as required under the Biodiversity Duty of the Environment Act 2021. Furthermore, the Council has contributed to the formulation of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership’s Biodiversity Action Plan and is working with partners across the county on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy which is due to be finalised within the coming 18 months. The council has fully incorporated the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, also introduced by the 2021 Act, into its planning requirements, with detailed guidance available to developers on the Council’s website.

Despite the activity, however, this Council recognises it must continue to change practices and both listen to the voices of and use its own voice to advocate on behalf of, our residents, rural and urban communities, businesses, farmers, landowners and our precious species, habitats, and ecosystems to protect our critical natural capital. Across its own estate this Council will lead change, improve resilience, inspire the community and collaborate with all interested parties and organisations to promote the recovery of biodiversity.

This Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting our environment, as follows:

1.         This Council declares an Ecological and Biodiversity Crisis (EBC).

2.         We commit to embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of its strategic plans (including the East Herts Local Plan), policy areas, service contracting and decision-making processes.

3.         We support the goal defined by the Wildlife Trusts to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, in line with national and international commitments to biodiversity.

4.         We commit to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and prioritising investment in nature-based solutions to climate change.

5.         We resolve to use an evidence-based approach to protect critical natural capital, build back and reverse losses to our nationally and internationally important species, habitats and ecosystems including our rare chalk streams.

6.         We resolve to set up a Biodiversity Forum, consisting of elected members (cross party), officers and co-optees from expert bodies, to examine the ecological and biodiversity needs of the district and put forward proposals for the Council’s consideration. The output from the East Herts forum and Hertfordshire's Nature Recovery Strategy be used to establish potential delivery mechanisms and to leverage government funding towards achieving the crucial recovery of nature in our area.

Councillor Nicholls seconded the motion and reserved her right to speak.

Councillor E Buckmaster said he was grateful for Councillor Hoskin reaching out to him. He said that the declaration of an ecological and biodiversity crisis was complimentary to the Local Nature Recovery Partnership. He said the partnership were looking to encourage investment and bring skills. He said that the government needed to be influenced and  that he had written to the Secretary and State and the 12 Hertfordshire MPs as the Chair of the Local Nature Recovery Partnership.

Councillor Deering said that the Conservative group would be supporting the motion. He said that he was supportive of protecting chalk streams in the district as they were really important assets. He said he was concerned over the new government’s plans to designate areas as grey belt and this could have a serious impact on nature.

Councillor Glover-Ward said that she was anticipating having further clarity on what grey belt meant in the next week. She said, assuming the motion passed, then the council could respond accordingly to any definition of grey belt.

Councillor Carter said that this was an important motion, and that the biological crisis was one of the biggest challenges faced. She said it was important to have practical steps to influence development and protect and enhance habitats. She hoped that the District Plan could look at ways in which the council could create nature corridors and tiny green landscapes in the towns, as well as rural areas.

Councillor Williams said this motion was good news. He said that there were fantastic groups within East Herts who were raising awareness and lobbying government about the protection of swifts. He said the potential grey belt concerned him as some disused industrial areas were now home to many plants and insect species.

Councillor Estop said that it was important to also think about the threat of industrial agriculture such as the removal of hedgerows to increase field size.

Councillor Swainston said she supported the motion. She said she was concerned about the lack of moths this year.

Councillor Daar said that she was involved with the steering group and said that a third of wildlife sites in Hertfordshire were in East Herts. She said they were great natural assets and should protect and enhance what exists.

Councillor Hart said that little acts could go a long way. She said that in Ware, nesting boxes for barn owls were installed and owls had begun nesting in there. She said it was important to educate people on the little things they could do to help biodiversity.

Councillor Nicholls said that it was a crucial time for nature and there was a public consultation of the Herts Nature Recovery Strategy. She said that there were huge mental and physical benefits of being immersed in nature and healthy diverse habitats migrate against the effects of climate change.

Councillor Hill questioned whether there was any scope to work with businesses who have premises that were not used overnight and could be a could place for encouraging biodiversity.

Councillor Hoskin responded to the points raised. He said that losing chalk streams was careless and there was a need to work harder to encourage enthusiasm within residents. He said there was an opportunity in the District Plan review to influence what the council wanted to achieve.

Having been proposed and seconded, the substantive motion was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - This Council recognises that there is an ecological and biodiversity crisis, and the natural world is under threat. In our county alone 76 species became extinct in the last 50 years¹. Insect populations have suffered drastic declines, with far-reaching consequences for both wildlife and people. With a third of our food crops pollinated by insects, there is a lot to lose. Much of our wildlife relies on insects for food. Without them, we risk the collapse of our natural world.

This growing ecological crisis is intrinsically linked to climate breakdown which is beginning to seriously affect the health of our environment and the wellbeing of residents.

In East Herts we have special responsibility for valuable wetland areas found in the Stort Valley, and the internationally important, Lea Valley Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site. Our chalk rivers are not yet protected by statutory designations but are under increasing threat from water abstraction and pollution, and so need special protection. A recent chalk stream survey by Salmon and Trout Conservation UK showed that numbers of mayflies, a key indicator species for river health, were down by 44 per cent when compared with 1998 data.

This Council believes that the consequences of biodiversity loss and ecological impacts, alongside the climate emergency, are so severe that one of our top priorities must be to put actions in place that help prevent these impacts from getting worse. We have already started to review what can be done to conserve and enhance biodiversity, as required under the Biodiversity Duty of the Environment Act 2021. Furthermore, the Council has contributed to the formulation of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership’s Biodiversity Action Plan and is working with partners across the county on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy which is due to be finalised within the coming 18 months. The council has fully incorporated the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, also introduced by the 2021 Act, into its planning requirements, with detailed guidance available to developers on the Council’s website.

Despite the activity, however, this Council recognises it must continue to change practices and both listen to the voices of and use its own voice to advocate on behalf of, our residents, rural and urban communities, businesses, farmers, landowners and our precious species, habitats, and ecosystems to protect our critical natural capital. Across its own estate this Council will lead change, improve resilience, inspire the community and collaborate with all interested parties and organisations to promote the recovery of biodiversity.

This Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting our environment, as follows:

1.         This Council declares an Ecological and Biodiversity Crisis (EBC).

2.         We commit to embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of its strategic plans (including the East Herts Local Plan), policy areas, service contracting and decision-making processes.

3.         We support the goal defined by the Wildlife Trusts to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, in line with national and international commitments to biodiversity.

4.         We commit to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and prioritising investment in nature-based solutions to climate change.

5.         We resolve to use an evidence-based approach to protect critical natural capital, build back
and reverse losses to our nationally and internationally important species, habitats and ecosystems including our rare chalk streams.

6.         We resolve to set up a Biodiversity Forum, consisting of elected members (cross party), officers and co-optees from expert bodies, to examine the ecological and biodiversity needs of the district and put forward proposals for the Council’s consideration. The output from the East Herts forum and Hertfordshire's Nature Recovery Strategy be used to establish potential delivery mechanisms and to leverage government funding towards achieving the crucial recovery of nature in our area.