Agenda item

The Committee considered the Ecological Emergency Update report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided a progress update on the Ecological Emergency Action Plan (EEAP).  Steve Bhowmick, Environment and Design Manager was welcomed to the meeting to deliver the report and presentation (for copy, see file of minutes).

The Environment and Design Manager introduced the presentation by referring to the government’s recent publication of the State of Nature report which found that almost 20% of the 10,000 species in Great Britain were at risk of extinction.  Durham County Council had recognised the pace of decline by declaring an Ecological Emergency which would be taken forward by way of an Ecological Emergency Action Plan (EEAP) to identify how Council services should respond to the issue.  At its meeting on 14 December 2022, Cabinet received an initial EEAP outlining the Council’s activity in response to its declaration of an ecological emergency. The Cabinet report and the initial EEAP was referred to the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2023 and it was agreed that the committee would regularly monitor progress with Cabinet also receiving progress updates commencing with a six monthly update.

The Environment and Design Manager emphasised the plan was being driven by senior management commitment and a detailed cross service review of key services which influence the Council’s interests in the natural environment had been conducted. This led to the identification of areas for action, resource implications and the monitoring of ongoing progress. The Environment and Design Manager pointed out that delivery of the EEAP was to be within current resources and he outlined the three key themes under which outputs would be delivered, namely Land Management, Education, Awareness and Communication and Policies and Strategies.

In terms of land management, the Environment and Design Manager described that this would involve understanding the condition of designated sites, the management of pressures on key sites and the production of a strategy for a single approach to encourage biodiversity across the county. 

Education and awareness would be vital to encourage partners and stakeholders to engage in the process and the Environment and Design Manager referred to actions to promote change of land management practices, such as working with developers with regard to biodiversity net gain and investigating the viability of using Council land for ‘green’ uses.  There was also an opportunity to promote the agenda through established initiatives including the Climate Emergency Response Plan.

In terms of policies and strategies, the Environment and Design Manager spoke of the importance of connecting with the development of the LNRS.  In addition, work was underway to ensure procurement methods address the ecological emergency principles and discussions had been held with Legal and Democratic Services to consider the addition of ecological implications in the standard implications to be taken into account when making decisions.

The Environment and Design Manager concluded by noting the good progress of the plan to date with new ecological based practices being adopted and areas of action being progressed across services.  He thanked members for their input and highlighted that members have a key role in educating local communities on the importance of ecology and the declaration of an ecological emergency and encouraged members to attend future training sessions.

Councillor Sexton left the meeting at approximately 10.30 am.

Councillor Townsend spoke in favour of including the ecological impact in the standard implications appendix as the issue had been raised a number of times at meetings of the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that education establishments invariably have an ecological impact, however this heading was not included within the implications appendix to committee reports.

Councillor Stubbs was concerned at the lack of additional funding and he asked if it was possible to evidence that actions taken since the declaration of the Ecological Emergency were providing value for money. The Environment and Design Manager highlighted actions taken by the Clean and Green team, such as changes to grass cutting regimes and the types of product used to manage land, which were making a difference. The Principal Ecologist pointed out that value for money was difficult to quantify and metrics were being considered to measure improvements gained by actions taken.

The Chair commented on the importance of the Council publicising actions that were having an impact and the Environment and Design Manager agreed and gave the example of providing information as to how woodland planting was helping to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. 

Councillor Elmer observed that metrics cross cut the LNRS and EEAP areas of work and that it was essential to have a system of metrics to measure change.  He highlighted areas of work that the Council had been involved in which had been effective, for example, the peatland restoration project.  Councillor Elmer commended the work done thus far however he pointed out that the current action plan failed to address some areas including ecological considerations with regard to landscape design, that decisions made by Corporate Property and Land should factor in biodiversity needs, that procurement and investment should consider the impact on natural systems and the plan should also include work with strategic partners to address county wide issues, such as water pollution.

The Environment and Design Manager gave the view that the increasing profile of the plan was beginning to effect change.  He informed the Committee that an officer group had been established, the Land Use Change group, which aims to discuss issues relating to renewables, water issues, woodlands and biodiversity with the Regeneration Investment Team.  He also highlighted that Durham County Council is part of the Wear Catchment Partnership which is helping to identify locations of water failure with the Environment Agency.

Councillor Crute spoke of the good progress made within the existing resources, however, he was concerned that future progress of the actions under discussion would be significantly impacted if further resources were not made available. Councillor Crute further highlighted that the government’s Autumn Statement indicated further public service funding cuts which could impact the existing resources.  He stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum and ensuring the Ecological Emergency remains a priority in the uncertain political landscape.

The Chair agreed and suggested that the Committee demonstrate its commitment to tackling the ecological emergency by writing to Cabinet to request clarification on the funding plans.  Councillor Crute added the ecological emergency theme cuts across all Scrutiny Committees and it was therefore important for all Scrutiny Committees to continue to discuss the issues.  Councillor Stubbs suggested that when writing to Cabinet, the question should include details of the actions taken so far, within existing resources.  The Chair proposed that arrangements be made for a  draft letter from the Committee to be sent to the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder  and that the issue of the ecological emergency should continue to be raised at Scrutiny meetings. 

Councillor Brown raised concern at the use of standard planting lists and the importing of plant species which may bring pathogens.  The Environment and Design Manager highlighted that new policies such as the Tree Management Policy include measures to improve biosecurity. 

Councillor Elmer referred to the pilot projects which had been initiated to change maintenance regimes to attract longer grasses and he expressed disappointment that the number of sites had reduced, due to the reluctance of residents to accept the new regimes. Councillor Elmer said he would like to see members being more proactive and encouraging residents to embrace the change.  He pointed out that in order to do that, members needed to be well informed, to help residents appreciate the value of the work and he added that he would like to see further training for members in respect of the Ecological Emergency Response Plan.  The Environment and Design Manager stressed that the support of members was crucial however attendance at recent training sessions had been low.  He suggested members may appreciate other approaches to training, for example online training. 

The Chair highlighted that monitoring was being carried out in relation to attendance of members at various  sessions and the issue will be picked up at the Chair and Vice-Chair’s meeting. 

Councillor Sutton-Lloyd observed that the discussion had returned to the importance of informing and engaging the public and he referred to the success of the small appliance recycling project at his local community centre and the amount of comments from residents using the facility who were previously unaware that the items could be recycled. 

Councillor Townsend commented on time constraints and diary conflicts which make it difficult for members to attend all meetings and training sessions to which they are invited.  She added that she would welcome more online training and she would also like to see the Council recording meetings and training sessions which would enable members to catch-up when they have missed sessions due to other commitments.

Resolved

a)    That the progress to date of the Ecological Emergency Response Action Plan be noted.

b)    That a further progress update on the Ecological Emergency Response Action Plan be presented to a future meeting of the committee as part of the 2024/25 work programme.

Further to the discussion at the meeting, the following additional recommendation was agreed:

c)    That a letter be sent to the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder detailing the Committees concerns regarding the future funding arrangements and the potential impact on the delivery of actions within the Ecological Emergency Response Action Plan.