Lib Dems oppose Essex County Council’s weak commitment to the environment

Cllr Stephen Robinson (Chelmsford North), said, “Protecting our bees isn’t just some ‘nice to have’. Bees and other pollinators are vital to protecting our future food supplies, as well as keeping our gardens and countryside green. 80% of all UK crops rely on pollinators and the Government has estimated that this is worth around £500 million to the UK food economy alone.”

The Lib Dem motion also called on the council to create a “Bees Action Plan”, to stop using harmful pesticides and to mount a publicity campaign, to explain this policy and why reduced mowing benefits us all. The Conservatives removed that and related parts of the motion but voted through the rest of the motion.

Cllr Robinson pointed out that, in stark contrast, Lib Dem-led Chelmsford City Council had recognised the scale of the crisis back in 2019; had created a detailed policy with key objectives, and was taking real action to protect bees and other pollinators. The Lib Dem council has recently installed a beehive on the City Council’s office roof and planted bee-friendly plants in Central Park across the road.

Cllr Mark Cory (Wivenhoe) attacked the Conservatives, saying, “Your amendment removes key action points from the motion. We are left with warm words not actions. It’s a shame that the Conservatives are in hoc to the Reform Party’s climate change deniers rather than what is best for Essex residents.”

ENDS

Full text of the Liberal Democrat Motion: a Bee and Pollinator Friendly Essex

Proposed by:  Cllr Stephen Robinson 
Seconded by:  Cllr Mark Cory

This Council recognises that:

• Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in the Earth’s ecosystem, being vital for our food crops, gardens and countryside. Eighty percent of all UK crops rely on pollinators. The Government has estimated that this is worth around £500 million to the UK food economy alone.
• The number of bees is in decline and some species have become extinct.  Pollinator decline is attributed to a variety of factors including disease, climate change, loss of habitat and the use of insecticides and herbicides.
• The use of herbicides containing glyphosate, has also been found to pose a health hazard to humans.
• Under the Environment Act 2021, local councils have a responsibility to help halt the decline seen nationally in biodiversity by a deadline of 2030. Work to be bee-friendly would assist with that goal.

To enable us to reach our aspirations to be a Bee Friendly Council, this Council resolves to call upon the Cabinet:

• Reduce the use of glyphosate and other harmful chemicals on all land that it manages, with a focus on protecting plants, trees and long grassed areas from chemicals.  Undertake a review of current bee-friendly practices in Essex County Council to see how they can be improved. Pledge to take part in ‘No Mow May’ from now onwards and advertise appropriately, including on-site signage, to ensure the public is aware of why certain public spaces are not being mowed. Council also resolves to establish a ‘Bees and Pollinators Action Plan’ for the county to become a Bee Friendly county. Such a plan could include, but is not limited to:
  • The Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling and appropriate senior officers contacting the Bee Friendly Trust to discuss how we can work together to make our county more bee friendly.
  • Using planning powers to protect habitats that are important to bees and pollinators.
  • Encouraging all new developments to provide for pollinators, including as part of their Biodiversity Net Gain.
  • Significantly reducing the use of all pesticides and herbicides on local authority land.
  • Establishing wildflower meadows on public green spaces and along public highways.
  • Planting pollinator-friendly plants, such as those on the RHS “Perfect for Pollinators” list.
  • Planting trees for bees, such as blossom-producing, spring-flowering trees.
  • Identifying measures to support beekeeping in our county.
  • Asking the public not to use insecticides in their garden, to mow their lawns less frequently and to plant bee friendly plants.
  • Encouraging schools to help children engage with this agenda and to undertake bee friendly planting and ‘no mow strips’ on their school grounds.
  • Working collaboratively with parish and town councils to get more public engagement and identify community champions.
  • Asking public health bodies and social housing partners to support our efforts.

Finally, this Council reaffirms its commitment to meeting Net Zero targets by 2050 and backs the work of the cabinet member for the environment to do so, despite any weakening of the commitment by the national political parties.