Agenda item

Proposed by Councillor Iona Gordon:

Seconded by Councillor Jane Henshaw:

Let’s make Cardiff Greener, Healthier and Wilder!

The aim of this motion is to enhance the Council’s One Planet Strategy in terms of combatting climate change and increasing bio-diversity in Cardiff.

Actions would build on the work Cardiff Council already does to preserve its parks and open spaces.

Working in partnership with grassroots community groups, Friends groups and environmental organisations, the Council will enable social and climate justice delivery above and beyond the vital services the Council provides.

The Council’s relationships with grass roots community groups are well established and the Parks Service works in partnership with about fifty partner organisations, who over time have, and continue to, influence, policy, strategy and operational matters.

Specifically a strategic partnership with the RSPB is well established and three major projects involving both parties exist, these being;

·         Giving Nature a Home in Cardiff project,which commenced in 2016 project, also in partnership with Buglife Cymru and funded through the National Lottery Community Fund, which seeks to engage local communities and children in Cardiff with nature, including supporting the development of pollinator friendly habitats.

·         Living Levels Landscape Partnership Project, which commenced in 2018, a National Lottery Heritage Funded Partnership Scheme, which aims to reconnect people with the Gwent Levels Landscape.

·         Flat Holm Island - A Walk Through Time project whereby in 2018, the Council was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant of  £150k towards the first stage of a £1.3million major heritage and conservation project, in partnership with the RSPB and Flat Holm Society.

This Council notes:

1.    Our declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019

2.    The response to the Bio-diversity task and finish group of the Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee

3.    That the Council is developing an ambitious and major programme that seeks to increase tree canopy across the city from 19% to 25% by 2030. A number of external funding bids, which have the potential to attract significant investment, are under consideration by funding bodies. The scope and scale of the plans that we have in place will be greater than any other Core City.

4.    The impressive sustainability proposals around energy, housing and transport that the Council has developed.

5.    The pressures on a fast-growing city to provide land for uses such as; housing, education, and jobs.

6.    That the council has agreed to consult on replacing our Local Development Plan, which would give an opportunity to strengthen environmental protections. 

7.    And commends the excellent job done by residents, volunteers, and stakeholder groups to plant trees and enhance local nature and bio-diversity. The staff across the Parks Service and Neighbourhood Services facilitate and support the work of the voluntary efforts and this has to be resourced / managed. 

Therefore this council proposes:

1.    To publish a plan for the mass planting of trees in the city. So that local groups, Cardiff schools and schoolchildren have opportunities to plant within the public realm.

2.    To establish a new Public Tree Nursery at Forest Farm.  The Council benefits from a team of qualified and experienced Arboricultural Officers and Arborists who will provide advice and guidance to residents and community groups. The nursery will focus on propagating stock of local provenance.

3.    To Identify land that can be used with local communities for community gardens, pocket parks, growing spaces, and meeting places and work with these groups to foster healthy lifestyles and increase local bio-diversity, especially in more urban areas of the city.

4.    To protect and enhance nature and public access for walking and cycling, along our riverbanks and around the edge of Cardiff Bay.

5.    To support the National Park City movement in Cardiff ensuring the full-weight of the council’s resources supports this people-led movement.

6.    We ask that these proposals are considered by Cabinet.