East Suffolk Council unanimously declares biodiversity emergency

The 'Pardon the Weeds, We are Feeding the Bees' campaign was introduced by Conservative councillor James Mallinder

East Suffolk Council have unanimously passed a motion to declare a biodiversity and ecological emergency.

The motion, which was proposed by Green councillor Rachel Smith-Lyte, was discussed by the council on Wednesday.

Ms Smith-Lyte said it was "a critical step in the right direction for our council and beyond".

But the East Suffolk Conservatives said: "The motion is just words with no new policies or initiatives."

The council first declared a climate emergency in 2019, but Ms Smith-Lyte said: "We realised afterwards we had omitted to add the ecology and biodiversity emergency element, which is now rectified."

Rachel Smith-Lyte said the declaration would help "to progress other related motions and action plans in the nature crisis"

The Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent (GLI) led council intends to develop a biodiversity action plan informed by consultations with residents and community groups, as well as officers and councillors.

They also plan to implement wildlife measures, monitor biodiversity, and explore partnerships with youth organisations.

However, the East Suffolk Conservatives said the motion was a "missed opportunity".

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Councillor Craig Rivett, leader of the opposition group, said: "After nearly a year of the GLI administration they have only been able to provide words. This is not acceptable and we need a much stronger focus to protect and champion not only our biodiversity, but to ensure every policy at East Suffolk."

During its administration, former cabinet member for the environment James Mallinder introduced the 'Pardon the Weeds, We are Feeding the Bees' campaign and the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as fuel for waste collection trucks.

"I worked hard to make sure that not only the environment departments focused on delivering policy, but the entire council considered the environmental impact of everything it did as an authority," he said.

"The GLI group are failing the residents of East Suffolk by not providing the same level of engagement and are not prioritizing the environment."

In response, Ms Smith-Lyte said: "[The] motion is in no way just words - we need it to be able to progress other related motions and action plans in the nature crisis, as well as to scale up our efforts both within, and external to, the council in our communities."