Agenda item

Report of Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Recycling and Public Realm, Councillor Izaac Tailford

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Recycling and Public Realm introduced his report which, he said, aimed to improve biodiversity, reduce emissions, and make more efficient use of tax payers’ money.  He said switching from annual to perennial planting had been very successful and effective in various parks and green spaces around the town and that Ubico has ensured well-balanced and colourful displays.  Although this is a change from what people are used to, he regards it as an exciting and innovative move, but added that traditional annual planting will remain in Imperial Gardens.

He said the reduction in hanging baskets around the town and introduction of more environmentally-friendly planting will bridge the gap between the existing planting schemes, and the removal of window boxes at the Municipal Offices and Town Hall will result in huge financial savings and efficiencies, as set out in the report, although the primary benefits will be nature recovery and helping combat the climate emergency.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency applauded the move, saying the costs of heating greenhouses, water and transportation will all be reduced, and the reduction in CO2 emissions will be calculated and factored into the Net Zero target.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture and Wellbeing strongly supported the report and environmentally-friendly and positive approach, saying this will demonstrate that planting can be beautiful as well as sustainable, and showcase more exotic gardening.  He noted that more traditional planting would continue in Imperial Gardens, where interruptions from the festivals would make perennial planting unsuitable. 

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities was also supportive of the new way of working, and agreed that the report was eye-opening with regard to the amount of money spent on watering and transportation.  This is a smart step – thanks to officers.

The Cabinet Member for Major Development and Housing Regeneration commented that many people would not read the report and said the council must carry on the methods already implemented in some parks and green spaces in town, to show the vibrancy of perennials.  He applauded Ubico’s work and the report.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Recycling and Public Realm thanked Members for their support, and agreed that perennials encourage an appreciation of nature as they change throughout the year.  They are not only good for the environment and for biodiversity, but also beautiful.  This is exciting to see, and people may be encouraged to adopt a similar approach to their own gardens and hanging baskets.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the introduction of an alternative, and permanent perennial-based planting scheme on the Long Gardens is approved;

2.    the retention of the existing annual bedding-based planting scheme on Imperial Gardens is approved; 

3.    the reduction of the number of hanging basket put out in the town from three hundred and six to one hundred (including removing from the municipal offices), and to focus them in the centre of the town to gain maximum effect with minimum maintenance is approved;

4.    the elimination of all window boxes from the Town Hall and Municipal Offices is agreed.