To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 360(b)) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Wright and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely
This council notes its resolution on declaring a climate emergency in Devon, in February.
This council notes also that officers launched the policy on wildflower verges earlier this month. Huge congratulations to the officers who helped bring this about.
The government has now declared a state of climate emergency across the UK, following the actions of Extinction Rebellion.
Climate change and other human activity is now causing species to decline at a rate unprecedented in human history, with three-quarters of land-based environments and two-thirds of the marine environment significantly altered.
Devon County Council, with its positive record on the environment is well placed to work with others to help mitigate the catastrophe coming our way.
Therefore, this council agrees to:
1. Call on the government to offer all pollinators full legal protection from harm
2. Write to all Devon outlets stocking bee harming pesticides, and urge them to permanently cancel their order with the suppliers
3. Take action to phase out all glyphosate pesticides used in council weed spraying or any other council related activity, by December 2019 (there may be exceptional circumstances such as dealing with specific non native species, such as Japanese knotweed)
4. Support Devon County Council tenant farmers in phasing out the use of inorganic fertilisers (such as nitrogen) by December 2023
5. Support Devon County Council tenant farmers in setting aside 10 per cent of their land for wildlife and/or wildflower mixes for pollinators
6. Work with community groups and non-government organisations such as Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust to support Devon County Council tenant farmers to set aside five per cent of their land for tree planting
7. Work with community groups and non-government organisations such as Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust on supporting town and parish councils, schools and community groups to set aside land for tree planting
8. Develop a policy on soil health good practice, with an emphasis on allowing land to recover and phasing out damaging chemicals, which are ultimately sterilising the land. This would include setting appropriate and reasonable targets for Devon County Council tenant farmers
9. Work with South West Water on a campaign to save water across the county, with an emphasis on education about future water scarcity. Specifically target town and parish councils, community groups and schools to raise awareness of the importance of good water practice
10. Support Devon Wildlife Trust’s campaign by calling on the Environment Secretary to allocate a further eight Marine Conservation Zones to Devon’s waters. Details can be found on the DWT website - https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/take-action/marine-conservation-zones
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report CSO/19/14 and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
(a) that the Council endorse the principle of further action by Devon County Council to address environmental issues in line with the global concerns highlighted through relevant intergovernmental panels; and
(b) mandates the Environmental Performance Board to consider how relevant issues raised by the 10 Point Green Action Plan might be addressed through relevant changes or additions to its suite of action plans, in the light of the opportunities and constraints highlighted by Appendix 1 of Report (CSO/19/14).
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 208 of 23 May 2019 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Wright that:
This council notes its resolution on declaring a climate emergency in Devon, in February.
This council notes also that officers launched the policy on wildflower verges earlier this month. Huge congratulations to the officers who helped bring this about.
The government has now declared a state of climate emergency across the UK, following the actions of Extinction Rebellion.
Climate change and other human activity is now causing species to decline at a rate unprecedented in human history, with three-quarters of land-based environments and two-thirds of the marine environment significantly altered.
Devon County Council, with its positive record on the environment is well placed to work with others to help mitigate the catastrophe coming our way.
Therefore, this council agrees to:
1. Call on the government to offer all pollinators full legal protection from harm
2. Write to all Devon outlets stocking bee harming pesticides, and urge them to permanently cancel their order with the suppliers
3. Take action to phase out all glyphosate pesticides used in council weed spraying or any other council related activity, by December 2019 (there may be exceptional circumstances such as dealing with specific non native species, such as Japanese knotweed)
4. Support Devon County Council tenant farmers in phasing out the use of inorganic fertilisers (such as nitrogen) by December 2023
5. Support Devon County Council tenant farmers in setting aside 10 per cent of their land for wildlife and/or wildflower mixes for pollinators
6. Work with community groups and non-government organisations such as Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust to support Devon County Council tenant farmers to set aside five per cent of their land for tree planting
7. Work with community groups and non-government organisations such as Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust on supporting town and parish councils, schools and community groups to set aside land for tree planting
8. Develop a policy on soil health good practice, with an emphasis on allowing land to recover and phasing out damaging chemicals, which are ultimately sterilising the land. This would include setting appropriate and reasonable targets for Devon County Council tenant farmers
9. Work with South West Water on a campaign to save water across the county, with an emphasis on education about future water scarcity. Specifically target town and parish councils, community groups and schools to raise awareness of the importance of good water practice
10. Support Devon Wildlife Trust’s campaign by calling on the Environment Secretary to allocate a further eight Marine Conservation Zones to Devon’s waters. Details can be found on the DWT website - https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/take-action/marine-conservation-zones
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 360 (b) of 12 June 2019:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and the spirit of the Notice of Motion be approved and;
(a) that the Council endorse the principle of further action by Devon County Council to address environmental issues in line with the global concerns highlighted through relevant intergovernmental panels; and
(b) mandates the Environmental Performance Board to consider how relevant issues raised by the 10 Point Green Action Plan might be addressed through relevant changes or additions to its suite of action plans, in the light of the opportunities and constraints highlighted by Appendix 1 of Report (CSO/19/14).
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.
Councillor Wright then MOVED and Councillor Shaw SECONDED that the Motion amended by the addition of paragraph (c), as below.
(c) writes to the new environment secretary, Theresa Villiers, congratulating her on her new role, underlining the importance of tackling climate breakdown and the associated crisis in nature, water and soil, including Devon County Council’s own response to it.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Wright was then put to the vote and declared LOST.
The Motion in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.