Agenda

To receive apologies for absence (if any)

To receive declarations of interest (if any)

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 February 2020

To consider the report of the Council Leader and Members' questions on the report

To consider public questions (if any)

To receive petitions (if any)

To consider reports on the following:

          Motion received from Councillor I Ratcliffe:

Over past centuries our forests have been chopped down to the point that now just 13% of the UK is covered by woodland, compared to an EU average of 38%.

Derbyshire is facing a massive loss of Ash Trees due to Ash die back and whilst it is encouraging that that the County Council is preparing to address the issue, when you look at Bristol, Leeds, South Gloucestershire and Wirral councils they have already publicly supported doubling local tree cover. Those councils are now drawing up plans to deliver on this ambition.

Doubling tree cover in our area would not only help prevent climate breakdown. It would also boost biodiversity, help clean our air, reduce flood risk and improve our wellbeing

By setting a goal to double tree cover, this council can stimulate local landowners to grow more trees and encourage the UK government to provide more funding for them.

However we need to identify the correct species of tree that will tolerate the climate as it is recognised that trees that thrive in a more southerly zone such as the South of France will be more appropriate as this is the projected UK climate.

The Motion 

This Council recognises that trees have a crucial role to play in tackling the climate and ecology emergency, by absorbing carbon dioxide, helping with flood mitigation, enabling land stabilization and supporting wildlife. 

This Council pledges to double local tree cover by:

1) Doubling tree cover on council-owned land, growing more trees in public parks and on County Farms.

2) Doubling tree cover across the whole planning authority area, by updating council strategies and local plans, and working with landowners.

Elected Member Wirksworth Division