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Agenda item

Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan consultations and Ash Dieback announcement

Cllr Phil Alford 

 

Minutes:

 

Cllr Phil Alford advised that Ash Dieback or Chalara Dieback of Ash was a disease which was expected to lead to the decline and death of most of the ash trees in Britain. 90% of woodland Ash trees nationwide were likely to be affected over the next five to 15 years.

 

Ash Dieback was already affecting trees in all parts of Wiltshire, and the council, along with other large landowners was working to address the impacts of the disease.

 

In trees alongside the highway, rights of way and in public spaces, this could pose a risk of injury to people and damage to property. There was an urgent need for all landowners to identify Ash trees growing alongside the highway, public rights of way and in public spaces that were showing signs of this disease and remove or significantly reduce these trees in order to avoid risks to the public or to property.

 

A short film was shown explaining the phenomenon of Ash Dieback.

 

 

Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan consultations

 

Cllr Phil Alford advised that:

 

Climate Strategy

 

This strategy had been developed after Wiltshire Council acknowledged a climate emergency and pledged to become carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030.  The document had deliberately been kept simple to encourage a wide readership. The UK Climate Change Committee estimates that local authorities could influence one third of emissions in their area. This made public engagement and buy-in from organisations and businesses critical to tackling the other two thirds – as well as advocating for strong government action. This high level strategy set out the Wiltshire Council objectives and areas of focus while remaining flexible.

 

Our Natural Environment Plan - Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Strategy

 

This strategy looked at the future for Wiltshire’s natural environmental assets focussing on the need to address climate change adaptation and mitigation, halt and reverse biodiversity loss and contribute to the health and wellbeing of Wiltshire’s residents.

 

‘Blue infrastructure’ means water courses such as rivers, lakes, canals, ponds and wetlands, while ‘green infrastructure’ covers plant life such as fields,woodlands, hedgerows and parks, and the GBI Strategy would set a clear vision, goals and principle to guide delivery through partnership working. Having a strong GBI would help mitigate against the effects of climate change through nature-based solutions such as, increased water retention in the land to reduce the risk of flooding, maintain and improve biodiversity, and help to provide improved access to the countryside.

 

Infrastructure in the Melksham Community Area includes:

 

·         Streetscene and countryside services including waste collection, recycling, flood alleviation, rights of way improvement, air and river quality monitoring.

 

·         A programme of service delegation and asset transfer from Wiltshire Council to the Town Council for local control for parks, play areas, allotments and toilets.

 

·         Urban tree planting; action against dog fouling and littering; a new country park at Shurnhold Fields; investment in new facilities at King George V Park; support to wildlife and biodiversity at Conigre Mead Nature Reserve; support to the Wilts and Berks Canal restoration.

 

·         Preparation of Melksham Neighbourhood Plan to balance new development with protection for the environment.

 

·         Supporting sustainable transport including investment through CATG in pavements, dropped kerbs, safe crossings, traffic calming. 

 

 

Decisions

 

·         That the Melksham Area Board notes the draft Climate Change and Green and Blue Infrastructure strategies and urges residents, organisations and businesses across the Community Area to contribute to the Consultations ahead of the closing date of 17 October 2021.

 

·         That the Melksham Area Board commits to work with organisations, residents and businesses across the Community Area to create a more sustainable Melksham.

 

 

The Melksham Area Board also noted the new “Wilts can do” campaign on climate change.

 

The campaign would be focusing on the seven main delivery themes that the council had identified as priorities in its draft Climate Strategy, in order to lower carbon emissions in Wiltshire:

 

·         Transport

·         Built environment

·         Waste

·         Green economy

·         Energy generation, storage and distribution

·         Natural environment, food and farming

·         Carbon neutral council

 

People could show their support on social media by using the campaign #WiltsCanDoThis when sharing any posts or ideas, and following the council’s channels where regular posts will be made: @WiltshireCouncil on Facebook, @WiltsCouncil on Twitter.

 

Supporting documents: