Decision details

To use a contribution from the Climate Change budget to fund bulb supply and planting to support the delivery of biodiversity improvements

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

To use a £10k contribution from the Climate Change budget to fund bulb supply and planting to support the delivery of biodiversity improvements as part of European Regional Development 50% Match Funding.

Reasons for the decision:

The funding will support our overall climate change aim to “Manage council-owned land to increase biodiversity and reduce carbon pollution, i.e. through reduced pesticide use and mowing and increased planting of wildflowers and perennials”.

 

-           Flowering bulbs are, by definition, perennials, and we will be choosing different varieties to create varied food sources, with a mixture of flowering periods to extend the food supply for insects and pollinators, which will help to increase biodiversity at these sites.

 

-           Areas of bulb planting will reduce the need for mowing regimes, as whilst the bulb foliage dies back after flowering, these areas will remain unmown, resulting in improved grass habitat and lower carbon emissions from mowing machines.

Alternative options considered:

Other funding sources have been considered but rejected due to availability. The time constraints on delivery of the programme means we must appoint a contractor now in order to secure a date for planting, otherwise risk the inability to deliver our contractual obligations with MHCLG with the potential of financial penalty.

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Other reasons / organisations consulted

No objection to proceeding as proposed.

Consultees

ELT, Councillors Alisha Lewis and Max Wilkinson.

Contact: Mike Redman, Director of Climate Change and Place Services 01242 264160 Email: [email protected].

Publication date: 18/11/2022

Date of decision: 18/11/2022