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Agenda item

Motion proposed by Councillor W Major

Minutes:

Council considered a notice of motion, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, from Councillor W Major

 

Councillor Major spoke to advise Council that he wished to move an amended motion and, following a vote, it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

To accept a revised Notice of Motion from Councillor Major for debate.

 

Councillor Major proposed a motion, which was duly seconded, in the following terms:

 

This Council acknowledges:??

 

1.       Nature provides us with vital support systems, allowing life on our planet to continue;???

2.       The climate crisis is intimately linked to the damage to nature which is happening around the world; that nutrient cycles, such as the carbon, nitrogen, phosphate and water cycles are all regulated by nature and are linked together;?

3.       That we have responsibilities across the county of Derbyshire which have an impact on nature and that we will make decisions that protect and enhance it wherever possible;?

4.       The requirement to?take action?is urgent, as climate change is rapidly disrupting natural cycles and habitats in Derbyshire. Steps to address the climate crisis must be in tandem with action to help ecosystems recover and become more resilient;?

 

The Council acknowledges:

 

1.    The value of nature -

1.1 - The findings of the Dasgupta Review which highlights that nature is an asset on which all aspects of our society depend. There has been underinvestment in our natural assets which must be reversed.

 

1.2 - Our current demands on natural resources are unsustainable, requiring the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain the world’s current living standards.

 

1.3 - Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. Such declines are undermining nature’s productivity and adaptability, which poses excessive uncertainty for our economies and wellbeing.

 

1.4 - Access to green space is a key factor in improving health and wellbeing and connection to it increases pro-environmental behaviour change.

 

2.       The interconnection to the climate crisis - 

 

2.1  - That the climate and ecological crises are interlinked and that nature can provide cost-effective solutions to fighting climate change.

 

2.2  - That climate change is displacing nature from its historic habitat ranges as average temperatures increase. To continue to help nature adapt, we need to make habitats more resilient and create and enhance wildlife corridors to allow nature to move to more suitable locations. 

 

3.       The path to rebuilding nature - The Lawton Review 

 

4.       In order to reverse this decline, four principles must be followed:

 

4.1 There must be more space given to wildlife;

4.2 That existing wild spaces must be expanded;

4.3 That the quality of existing wild spaces should be improved; 

4.4 That the connectivity between wild spaces must be increased.

 

Council, therefore RESOLVES to:

 

1.       Support the creation of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy that sits within the national Nature Recovery Network and underpins all planning, development and land management decisions. As part of this, we will:

 

1.1 Continue to improve the landscape’s resilience to climate change, providing natural solutions to reduce carbon and manage flood risk, and sustaining vital ecosystems;

 

1.2  Prioritise Nature Based Solutions to flooding and extreme weather mitigation including use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), woodlands and wetlands to create nature rich habitat and connections where appropriate;

 

1.3 Continue to adopt a peat-free policy for all council contracts and supplies and support the restoration and protection of Derbyshire’s peatlands, including taking measures to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires; 

 

1.4  Support the restoration of tree cover in Derbyshire across suitable locations where appropriate, particularly the planting of street trees within our towns, cities and villages; 

 

1.5 Manage council-owned land for the benefit of wildlife where appropriate;

 

1.6  Support robust Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) commitment across all council-owned land where reasonable;

 

1.7 Map and gather data on ecological networks and habitat opportunities within the region and prioritise sites within the ecological network for Biodiversity Net Gain projects (sometimes known as Nature Recovery Network mapping); 

 

1.8 Continue to encourage a commitment for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on all new developments now, rather than waiting for 2023, with the selection of sites for offsite mitigation based on the priorities identified by Nature Recovery Network mapping; 

 

1.9 Work with stakeholders to continue to encourage the restoration of sites managed for nature to favourable condition;

 

2.             Improve access to nature by following the Natural England ‘Nature Nearby’ guidance. Particular regard will be given to: 

2.1 Areas with high levels of physical health problems;

 

2.2 Areas with high levels of mental health problems;

 

2.3 Areas where the amount and quality of accessible natural greenspace is below Natural England’s targets.

 

3.       Demonstrate leadership by educating and supporting businesses, communities and the wider public to take action.

 

4.       Recognise the role of education in engendering pro-environmental behaviour change, by supporting schools and adult education programmes which value nature.

 

5.       Acknowledge the impact of food production and food waste on the current nature and climate crisis: 

 

5.1 By assessing the environmental impact of the food that is purchased for schools and care homes, including ensuring the provision of plant-based foods;

 

5.2 Supporting the production of food locally, including promoting the provision of allotments across the county;

 

5.3 Encouraging residents of our community to minimise food waste and ensuring that no food waste goes to landfill. 

 

6.       Request that Cabinet continues to support all relevant lead Members in tackling nature’s recovery.

 

7.       Continues to support cross departmental resources designated to lead and coordinate the council operations in relation to nature’s recovery.

 

8.       Progress delivery of the priorities of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy; achieving Net Zero Emissions which integrate the objectives and outcomes outlined in this motion

 

9.       Continue development of a Natural Capital Strategy to inform development of a Nature Recovery Strategy.

 

10.      Provide training and resources for councillors and council employees about the nature emergency.

 

11.      Continue to support groups to focus on achieving the targets and objectives outlined in this motion. These groups will continue to be comprised of politically balanced cross-party representatives, council staff, and it will call upon relevant experts from external organisations, monitor progress, identify opportunities for improvement and report back to the designated Cabinet member.  

 

12.      Work with Partners to encourage the creation of a suitable group arising out of the development of the Local Nature Reserve Strategy.

 

13.      Continue to report on the progress made with regards to the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and action plan and companion strategies.

 

14.      Continue to consider and declare Environmental Considerations in Council reports to ensure that any conflicts with nature’s recovery are made apparent.

 

Following debate the motion was duly voted on and declared to be WON. It was therefore

 

RESOLVED that:

 

This Council acknowledges:??

 

1.       Nature provides us with vital support systems, allowing life on our planet to continue;???

2.       The climate crisis is intimately linked to the damage to nature which is happening around the world; that nutrient cycles, such as the carbon, nitrogen, phosphate and water cycles are all regulated by nature and are linked together;?

3.       That we have responsibilities across the county of Derbyshire which have an impact on nature and that we will make decisions that protect and enhance it wherever possible;?

4.       The requirement to?take action?is urgent, as climate change is rapidly disrupting natural cycles and habitats in Derbyshire. Steps to address the climate crisis must be in tandem with action to help ecosystems recover and become more resilient;?

 

The Council acknowledges:

 

3.    The value of nature -

1.1 - The findings of the Dasgupta Review which highlights that nature is an asset on which all aspects of our society depend. There has been underinvestment in our natural assets which must be reversed.

 

1.2 - Our current demands on natural resources are unsustainable, requiring the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain the world’s current living standards.

 

1.3 - Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. Such declines are undermining nature’s productivity and adaptability, which poses excessive uncertainty for our economies and wellbeing.

 

1.4 - Access to green space is a key factor in improving health and wellbeing and connection to it increases pro-environmental behaviour change.

 

2.       The interconnection to the climate crisis - 

 

2.1  - That the climate and ecological crises are interlinked and that nature can provide cost-effective solutions to fighting climate change.

 

2.2  - That climate change is displacing nature from its historic habitat ranges as average temperatures increase. To continue to help nature adapt, we need to make habitats more resilient and create and enhance wildlife corridors to allow nature to move to more suitable locations. 

 

3.       The path to rebuilding nature - The Lawton Review 

 

4.       In order to reverse this decline, four principles must be followed:

 

4.1 There must be more space given to wildlife;

4.2 That existing wild spaces must be expanded;

4.3 That the quality of existing wild spaces should be improved; 

4.4 That the connectivity between wild spaces must be increased.

 

Council, therefore RESOLVES to:

 

1.       Support the creation of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy that sits within the national Nature Recovery Network and underpins all planning, development and land management decisions. As part of this, we will:

 

1.1 Continue to improve the landscape’s resilience to climate change, providing natural solutions to reduce carbon and manage flood risk, and sustaining vital ecosystems;

 

1.2  Prioritise Nature Based Solutions to flooding and extreme weather mitigation including use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), woodlands and wetlands to create nature rich habitat and connections where appropriate;

 

1.3 Continue to adopt a peat-free policy for all council contracts and supplies and support the restoration and protection of Derbyshire’s peatlands, including taking measures to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires; 

 

1.4  Support the restoration of tree cover in Derbyshire across suitable locations where appropriate, particularly the planting of street trees within our towns, cities and villages; 

 

1.5 Manage council-owned land for the benefit of wildlife where appropriate;

 

1.6  Support robust Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) commitment across all council-owned land where reasonable;

1.7 Map and gather data on ecological networks and habitat opportunities within the region and prioritise sites within the ecological network for Biodiversity Net Gain projects (sometimes known as Nature Recovery Network mapping); 

 

1.8 Continue to encourage a commitment for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on all new developments now, rather than waiting for 2023, with the selection of sites for offsite mitigation based on the priorities identified by Nature Recovery Network mapping; 

 

1.9 Work with stakeholders to continue to encourage the restoration of sites managed for nature to favourable condition;

 

4.    Improve access to nature by following the Natural England ‘Nature Nearby’ guidance. Particular regard will be given to: 

2.1 Areas with high levels of physical health problems;

 

2.2 Areas with high levels of mental health problems;

 

2.3 Areas where the amount and quality of accessible natural greenspace is below Natural England’s targets.

 

3.       Demonstrate leadership by educating and supporting businesses, communities and the wider public to take action.

 

4.       Recognise the role of education in engendering pro-environmental behaviour change, by supporting schools and adult education programmes which value nature.

 

5.       Acknowledge the impact of food production and food waste on the current nature and climate crisis: 

5.1 By assessing the environmental impact of the food that is purchased for schools and care homes, including ensuring the provision of plant-based foods;

 

5.2 Supporting the production of food locally, including promoting the provision of allotments across the county;

 

5.3 Encouraging residents of our community to minimise food waste and ensuring that no food waste goes to landfill. 

 

6.       Request that Cabinet continues to support all relevant lead Members in tackling nature’s recovery.

 

7.       Continues to support cross departmental resources designated to lead and coordinate the council operations in relation to nature’s recovery.

 

8.       Progress delivery of the priorities of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy; achieving Net Zero Emissions which integrate the objectives and outcomes outlined in this motion

 

9.       Continue development of a Natural Capital Strategy to inform development of a Nature Recovery Strategy.

 

10.      Provide training and resources for councillors and council employees about the nature emergency.

 

11.      Continue to support groups to focus on achieving the targets and objectives outlined in this motion. These groups will continue to be comprised of politically balanced cross-party representatives, council staff, and it will call upon relevant experts from external organisations, monitor progress, identify opportunities for improvement and report back to the designated Cabinet member.  

 

12.      Work with Partners to encourage the creation of a suitable group arising out of the development of the Local Nature Reserve Strategy.

 

13.      Continue to report on the progress made with regards to the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and action plan and companion strategies.

 

14.      Continue to consider and declare Environmental Considerations in Council reports to ensure that any conflicts with nature’s recovery are made apparent.

Supporting documents: