Norwich City Council

.Biodiversity emergencyRESOLVED to:(1) Note that enhancing the local environment, including biodiversity, is part of thecorporate plan priority of ‘great neighbourhoods, housing and environment’.(2) Ask cabinet to urgently take up local measures to prevent the loss of and toenhance biodiversity by:(a) Updating, as planned, the Biodiversity Action Plan (last updated in 2002)to give a full overview of the biodiversity measures planned and takenacross different teams(b) Working with partners on the Greater Norwich Local Plan to seek to deliverbiodiversity net gain on all developments and considering the production ofa Supplementary Planning Document (see e.g. North Hampshire orCornwall biodiversity SPD) which provides developers with detailedguidance to ensure all developments deliver a biodiversity net gain(c) Investigating, following the example of Hull, the inclusion of a local policyin the local plan which requires three new trees to be planted for everynew dwelling(d) Continuing to use council publications to encourage the public to takebiodiversity measures in their own homes, for example, in gardens, onroofs, balconies and window sills(e) Investigating means to secure appropriate funding for promoting a CityBiodiversity Toolkit to encourage community engagement by continuing towork closely with existing and newly formed Friends and other communitygroups in parks, natural areas and cemeteries to increase theirinvolvement and to provide training to give skills and confidence to activelyparticipate in the work on site to encourage with habitat creation such asflowering meadows for pollinating insects(f) Continuing to support additional wildlife measures across the city,including additional wildlife measures in council-owned gardens andcommunal areas (greening, wildflower beds, small mammal holes etc.) (g) Considering, together with the costs, conducting biodiversity audits in ourlocal parks and open spaces and setting measurable targets andstandards for biodiversity increase in local parks and open spaces;(h) Identifying suitable verges and establishing a ‘river of flowers’ wildflowerprogramme where appropriate (see e.g. Rotherham Council)(i) Continuing to prioritise biodiversity targets in the River Wensum strategy(j) Exploring opportunities to encourage the growth of wildflowers onbrownfield sites which are waiting to be developed in line with existingevidence that brownfield sites can make an important contribution tobiodiversity enhancement(k) Continuing to work with the Pesticide Action Network, to lead Norwich tobecoming pesticide free, following consultation which is already underway,and joining the growing number of pesticide free councils across the UK(e.g. Glastonbury, Lewes, Hammersmith & Fulham), by establishing andimplementing a long term plan to reduce chemical use as advised byPesticide Action Network UK(l) Educating residents about the risks of pesticides (e.g. through posters atallotment sites)

— Full Council (Source)