Good morning Ed - Sorry about Sunday (tongue in cheek as I am a true RED) If I recall from the WLAC Conference, you support the losing side?

I've been in for a while!

Good morning from Devon.

Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us today :-)

And from south west Surrey

Hi from East Yorkshire - North Dalton Parish Council

Good morning from Manningtree, Esssex.

Hi Julie Leah. Charmouth Parish Council

morning everyone from North Wales

Andrea Turrell< Bolney PC, good morning

Hi all- Bracknell Town council

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Good morning to everyone.

Hello from John Strutt representing Stevington Parish Council

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Hi everyone- here representing Falmouth town council in Cornwall

hello from Houghton & Wyton in Cambridgeshire

Hi all - From Farnham Town Council.

Good morning everyone from Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Morning all I'm from Rusthall Parish Council (and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Rusthall Ward)

Hello from Cramlington Town Council

hi from Andy at burbage parish council

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Hi. Colin Peacock from the parish of Warton on (and in) Morecambe Bay

Good Morning . I'm a councillor from Copythorne Parish in the New Forest, Hampshire

Hello from Feock PC nr Truro (- hello Kirstie in Falmouth!!)

Hello from NALC W.a.h. In Suffolk!

hello John and Joanne here

Hi Sue!

Good morning . I am from Hazlemere Parish Council.

Hi all. Representing Betchworth Parish Council

Hello from Martlesham Parish Council in Suffolk from Diane Linsley, Clerk

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Good Afternoon everyone, from Weldon Parish Council Northamptonshire

Hi all

Rod Lees representing Mardem Parish Council Herefordshire

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from Etchingham, East Sussex.

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Hello Everybody =) From Sophie, Milton Keynes.

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Hello everyone- I am Gail Robertson form Crowthorne Parish Council

Hi all from Defra's London office

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Hello all, Catherine from Speldhurst Parish Council

k.owen@blachere-illumination.co.uk 07741074479 if you need any help with your Christmas lighting

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Hi from Simon Sever at Crowthorne Parish Council

Mark you can change the view setting on your device so you can just see Ed

Great :-)

Can we get on to the actions on biodiversity we all know the general picture. With limited time in a paid for session we need time on the details around habitat and species, where the knowledge, action and data to improve things in nature.

This is important. In my experience most parish and town councillors haven't really taken on board the urgency of the crisis.

agreed Carol Kambites

I agree Carol.

We've just set up an environmental committee so we can focus on this

"levelling up on the environment through biodiversity net gain" we need to talk about the evidence and data as to where to focus priorities. I didn't pay to hear all this stuff.

This is the clip Ed just used from The Guardian website https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2019/oct/01/no-disposable-cups-aide-snatches-coffee-from-boris-johnsons-hand-video

Yes Ed spoke at the WALC conference last weekend. I don't think awareness is at a high enough level yet.

This is very moving, Ed

I had to pay for myself to attend - because my PC didn't see the importance

That's disgraceful, Andrea. Sounds like you need a new PC!

Until we have adequate awareness, we will not get sufficient understanding. Without understanding we get no commitment.

We should be talking about the data in BMERC and TVERC datasets, understanding the degredation of habitats and species and where we can work with those most active like BBOWT, ChilternAONB, Chiltern Society, Woodland trust, and many others that need help from the parishes. We have a five year strategy on the issues for landowners, companies, residents, to understand the stae of nature and start working towards “Audit, preserve, protect, enhance, promote and enjoy GMPC wildlife”.

we can do our part for the climate but it's changing the big retailers etc to CHANGE

Falmouth town council useful actions to date- 1) partnerships with harbour master, plastic free Falmouth and other environmental groups 2) installed many open source water refill points 3) carbon audit of assets 4) set up a climate working group partnering with the local university and our geographical collection of councils 5)tree planting 5) seaweed and grass rewilding in partmership with uni and harbour plus sea bin 6) use our voice to lobby on environmental concerns 7) about to recruit a climate action officer to implement the short med long term actions resulting from carbon audit 8) switching all assets to green energy 9) going for grants for green intiatives 9) keeping the conversation going by running green day events 10) created an events charter to reduce plastic and waste 11) implememted resusable cup schemes for large events 12)passed resolutions to reduce single use plastic , support the CEE bill and declared a climate emergency 13) r action re procurement 14) free beach toy exchage

Nick are you able to share the link to your five year strategy?

Anyone tried the Tesco loop system

Justin, yes

Ace thank you

Hi Nick, I've just looked at your LinkedIn page, sadly not everyone has your knowledge or experience. I have people that deny there is a climate change, that it is a political conspiracy etc. The knowledge level is patchy and therefore the 'basics' and the emotional engagement still needs to be done.

we also set up teracycle and a circular economy working group with uni, businesses and community partners

I thought this was to inform people in parish councils on the issue of biodivisity, I understand the link to the campaigning on the environment but net gain is very specific to nature and should start there IMHO. I understand the need to intro the subject perhaps we get to the detail next.

yep also we have a community fridge to reduce food waste

Woburn Sands TC supported Milton Keynes Council's Declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2020 and formed a local community 'Climate Change Group', which is shortly going to carry out a local consultation on a number of CO2 emissions and biodiversity measures we wish to enact.

Justin if you email me I will send it to you and anyone else who would like to see it. It started with a BMERC audit by an ecologist nick_horslen@greatmarlowpc.co.uk

weve also had a repair café for a number of years as well as a library of things

Hi Nick and Justin, I would be interested. Thanks.

Ah Thanks Nick, was hoping you could post the link here in the chat so others can check it out

Here in Whittington & Fisherwick we set up a Community Energy scheme in 2011 which put solar panels on our Hospice and Village Hall and later on various hospital buildings. Harder now with disappearance of the FIT but worth looking at the Big Solar Coop to see if you can form a node and work with them to install solar on a variety of buildings locally. More impact than solar streets (which just focus on residential properties.

Martlesham Parish Council held their first successful Climate Summit on 25th September. Please visit our website www.martleshamclimateaction.onesuffolk.net

JUstin I don't think we can do it through the chat, unless can tell me otherwise

In the Q&A there's a question from anonymous attendee to Nick - how are you getting the other local parish councils and your borough council to take this on

Is your strategy online Nick?

Our Rusthall Community Larder has been ruinning sine January 2021 - we think on a conservative estimate we have saved over 8 tin of surplus food and items going to landfill. It's also hugelry popular as it's on a donation basis to fill a bag so affordable food

Gregg, im keen to listen to this bit from dave noiw but Ive been asked to present our plan as a guide for others through https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/improving-your-local-community/south-west-chilterns-community-board/

We lose some and win some as seen, for instance, in the over a 30 year series of butterfly records from Warton Crag in our parish. Spring butterflies were emerging 3 weeks earlier than 1989 by 2000. Then the change stopped. It restarted after 2015 and is now a week earlier still.The warmer wetter winters have virtually wiped out some species that rot as they overwinter. High Brown Fritillary is the most notable.But we get gains as southern species move north. Overall though total butterflies numbers have dropped by 25%

Sorry I meant Justin.

Can you make Dave's screen bigger please so we can see the details?

Watch Dave and we can always share the link to your strategy afterwards in the follow up email

in Cornwall we have the 'making space for nature ' project that looks to create biodiversity in our towns. its been a huge success and you find out more here https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/spacefornature

Carol you can change the view on your device to speaker view

Dave Goulson's recent book 'Silent Earth' (named, of course, in homage to Rachel Carson) is excellent, with lots of data on the impacts of pesticides etc.

Some of the questions in the Q&A are asking what other councils are doing so do use the chat function to share your examples, tips etc

Its no coincidence that global human population has more than doubled whilst wildlife has more than halved in the timeframes being discussed.

ive put a list of some of ours up there ^ happy fo anyone to email me for more detail- I was (am) an environmental campaigner / leader before elction- my email councillor-kedwards@falmouthtowncouncil.com

Apologies if anyone is experiencing some buffering of the video

Building with Nature www.//www.buildingwithnature.org.uk

Copythorne Parish Council declared a climate Emergency earlier this year. We have joined the Greening Campaign which we have found extremely useful as it gives a structured order of events.

We will also make the video available to you

Yes Claire that is an important issue and the latest Scientists Warning addresses this issue in detail as do the previous 3 warnings - all the warnings can be downloaded here https://www.scientistswarningeurope.org.uk/warnings-to-humanity

In case anyone hasn't seen it we have a dedicated climate change webpage on the NALC website, here's the link https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/climate-change

Weymouth Town Council are implementing a Biodiversity Strategy - creating more habitats (wildflower areas, wood piles, deadwood, tree planting), managing our habitats well, reducing chemical use.

I've been fighting a battle to get the Council to leave some areas of verge uncut - and working with local environmental group to some areas with native wildflowers. Hard work and arguments with tidyists but slowly gaining traction. Also started a community orchard on PC land

It contains a small section and links on biodiversity and I would be keen to grow the information and resources here, so do let me know what's missing and would be helpful

Also any graduate scientist at this event (social, political, engineering, natural, formal) can sign the latest scientists warning being issued for COP26 here https://www.scientistswarningeurope.org.uk/signature

Interesting comment from Claire but the growth of population world wide seems to be a big no no for anyone to discuss. Would a reduction in world population help?

ooh we have a community orchard to! would love to have more wild food growing areas also

Surely if there is a smaller population - less food is needed; less pressure on space - less housing needed so less open space needs to be turned over to housing?

We need to talk about human population growth and it should stop being taboo. Look at the work of Population Matters if you need convincing.

Pesticide Action Network have brilliant information on how to get Councils to reduce / stop using pesticides.

Claire - I assume you know about 'Population Matters' (Google it, if not). Lots of good (and humane!) discussion of the issue of human (over-)population as a key driver of our main global problems.

Interesting comment on grass verges. Leaving them uncut to allow wild flowers etc brought in the biggest amount of complaints about them being untidy

@Simon Bennett, yes it is the most effective thing we can do. There are organisations promoting this but it is a tricky subject. e.g. https://populationmatters.org/ in spite of having Sir David Attenborough as it's patron is not widely known...

I think this might be it Glenn https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/on-the-verge/

Concerning verges etc., the message we need to get out is that 'neat and tidy' is often the enemy of nature.

We need to get over the idea of something being "Untidy" and think of it as being "beautiful" when the flowers come out - Red Campions etc look lovely

@simon bennett we have the same problem with verges - it has proven very divisive in our parish

We have taken part in Plantlife's road verge campaign for the past two years and managed areas of common land and road verges for wildflowers. We are educating the "tidy" brigade!

There are so many useful links in the chat, will these be made readily available?

Plant Life - https://plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk/roadvergecampaign

Oxford city council made decision to only cut grass verges once a year. As clerk to parish council, nothing to do with grass verges, but was inundated with complaints about how untidy it was, how its lowering the price of their house, asking will there be a reduction in council tax for drop in service!!

Brilliant thank you

Agree we need to change attitudes. The trick with verges seems to be to make sure they look managed and ideally planted with attractive native flowers. And to do it incrementally - not all in one huge jump. Plus get the message of benefits to wildlife across.

Well with the Climate Crisis - we HAVE to change our ideas and our way of living. It is not an option!

Notices on the verge, explaining what is happening, can help.

We do have to change ideas but we've got to take the populace with us!

As Luke said in his intro, Dave is sorry he can't be here in person and has offered to take a look at any particular questions you have for him and reply, which we will circulate to you all

Indeed - that is the challenge!

Can all the comments be shared? lots of useful URLs passing before my eyes.

I agree that untidy verges and weeds divides the community

Yes thanks for the link, Simon. There has been some misguided negative press against PM, but what the 'critics' have failed to notice is that they are looking for humane, not draconian solutions - such as education and emancipation of women in parts of the world where they are denied the role constructive role they can make.

Yes Andrew we will be sharing the chat with you all after the event

@peter skelton, yes Population Counts is another organisation raising awareness as is Girls Not Brides.

Leighton-Linslade Town has been peat free since 2017!

We have a policy of not using herbicide or pesticide and wild our verges but what do we do about sports pitches where the grass standard is expected to be maintained for football / cricket?

Anyone got any ideas on how to be weed free without using pesticide?

On the Verge - https://www.onthevergestirling.com/

its ridiculous that we have to aplly to protect a tree rather than them automatically being protected and needing permission to fell in a climate emergency!

Check out Stonehouse Town Council, Gloucestershire Community Arboretum Plan

For long term change - you need to have net zero/biodiversity running through all aspects of the parish council as this would then help to educate all about the issues and what is being done

And we have been using minimal amounts of herbicides and pesticides since 2018, with a self-imposed ban on the use of some chemicals.

Thanks for sharing that Glenn

On the Verge Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OnTheVergeStirling/

Is there a comprehensive list of ideas, or a list of what other communities are doing. For inspiration. Thanks.

Here's the link to the Stonehouse arboretum which Rachel just mentioned https://www.stonehousetowncouncil.gov.uk/our-projects/stonehouse-community-arboretum/

We're glyphosate free here in Manningtree and we have a brilliant group of volunteer 'Street Keepers'. We meet every Monday morning and hand weed. Manningtree is England's smallest town though, so this is a feasible method for us. It might not be so easy bigger towns/parishes.

Bee Keeping is not the answer honey bees are not in danger of becoming extinct. Too many honey bees have a potentially damaging effect on the environment they don't pollinate all plants, speciallista are required.

we are looking at getting volunteer tree wardens to do our TPOs for us in each area

If you want all attendees to see your chat comments do make sure you share to Everyone not just Hosts and panellists :-)

Blue Campaign - https://bluecampaignhub.com/ Maldon District Council have take this on in their Cemeteries

you can now up-vote a question in the Q&A section

Great Work Ed Gemmell

Gt Dunmow had a grow your own project last year for veg but we also gave away wild flower seeds. It was very well received and we will be doing it again next year.

Plant life's No-mow-May also worth promoting next year

Linking areas is vital. Try and get hedgerows incorporated into all new developments. Also use the Woodland Trust Free Trees for Schools scheme to get hedgerows alongside all those hard fences that schools seem to need as part of their "safeguarding".

Do folk know about the community carbon footprinting tool? Very useful https://impact-tool.org.uk/ And do we know about the Regional Community Energy Fund - where you can get grant money to do feasibility studies on community energy schemes eg solar, EV chargers, wind turbines? We have just got £35k to do a feasibility study on a heat network for the village - heat is one of the biggest components of our CO2 emissions

We are seeing a bit of a trend round here for house insurers trying to push for the 'cheap' solution to subsidence problems relating to ground heave of cutting down loads of trees, rather than underpinning etc. The problem with their 'arboricidal' approach is that it won't solve the underlying problem of increased seasonal ground heaving due to longer, more intense summer droughts and heavier winter rain as a result of climate warming. So cutting down trees will not make the problem go away.

Ed has been a member of NALC's Task and Finish Group which we set up to drive forward our work on climate change, we're widening that out into one of our new NALC National Networks aimed at connecting councils and councillors, learning from each and sharing good practice. if you'd like to be involved do let us know at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk

Can all the Links put in the Chat be sent to everyone after this webinar

#retrofirst is a movement to reuse rather than build new - as this is the MOST environmentally form of building

will we be speaking about Net Gain https://cieem.net/i-am/current-projects/biodiversity-net-gain/

colin peacock - BNG is coming

Write a Biodiversity Action Plan - https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-teachers/schools-wild-challenge/activities/biodiversity-action-plan/ - a great place to start to get young people involved within their schools.

Yes Chris we will be including the chat in the follow up email

Beware developers who offer biodiversity net gain that cannot actually be achieved.

Thanks

Pete Hewitt - BNG early days

Planning and neighbourhood planning will be one of NALC's big policy themes for the year ahead - do tell us your ideas on what changes we should be pushing for

Biodiversity net gain is coming! Defra will be consulting soon on some more details for the approach so keep an eye out for it in the next month or two. Agree with points about engaging with neighbourhood and district plans. Also on discussing with developers as some do want to do good stuff for biodiversity but don't know what is needed locally

feel free to email me ed@gemmell.info

`we started a 20% for wildlife initiative last winter, it has a growing and enthusiastic membership of people leaving 20% of what they have - be it a doorstep or an acre - for wildlife. We gave wildflower seeds away and have had a bird nest box building workshop so far - to come is pond building, bat boxes, bat walks, and hedgehog homes workshops, it is gaining momentum and involves the village children too

Here's hoping BNG catches on, gains traction and gets competitive amoung developers

In Fleet Neighbourhood plan we have a policy that 50% of front gardens should be retained under soft landscaping to stop concrete blocks and gravel covering front gardens for parking space

This is one of the best places to start learning about biodiversity net gain that I've found. It links on to all the main organisations and developments: https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/environment/biodiversity-net-gain

Maldon District Council is a “Hedgehog Hero” and have signed up to creating hedgehog friendly environments in our cemeteries and parks.

Do make clear your particular Qs for Dave so we can pass them on and get a response to share with you in due course

Bob - all very well having the policy but is feasible for it to actually be enforced?

There are a lot of different initiatives that people are working on/could be working on. How do you ensure that the ones you have chosen are working or even more important are the right ones for you to work on in the first place

We are seeing local planning officers enforcing the policy in response to appliations, but not all yet

I can recommend Rachel Coxcoon who does a fantastic climate literacy course. Designed specifically for councils = includes all the tools required for implementing change through a parish council. also an excellent action plan - a living document that we now share in our council group to add to all the time as well as tick off successes

we have an environmental and sustainability policy to ensure the council work in every way to support biodiversity

Michele - do you have Rachel Coxcoon’s contact details?

Christine this might help https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rachelcoxcoon

Thanks Justin

love the stock replies in planning idea... any suggestions for a quick start to these?

Yes please for that

Thank you

yes good idea sue

Thanks!

Here's the link to our feedback form Here is the survey monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DPCGP7W

this has been brilliant- so inspiring. thank you.

Thanks - Avery useful session. I look forward to a copy of the recording to forward to the rest of the PC

Fantastic thank you, really useful information

Thank you everyone

Trees also need managing - set up a community woodbank with proper drying facilities. Anyone got a community compost heap or leafmould pile?

Planning matters are our main problem. thank you for the event.

Thank you, very interesting and useful incl the chat/Q&A

Thank you from East Horsley PC!

Thank you very much . It was very helpful

Thank you

A great session, thank you

brilliant glad im not on my own

Greenest energy supplier is Good Energy according to Which? GEUK and Ecoctricity also good

thank you from falmouth

Thank you.

Thank you, very interesting.

Thank you, planning is also our problem

Lots of action to be taken in Gloucestershire. Thanks

Thank you for a very interesting and informative session

Many thanks - good to share ideas!

Thank you very much.

for biodiversity net gain parishes need to contact the likes of https://www.bbowt.org.uk/wildlifenature-matters/nature-recovery-networks and https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ the cilternAONB, NEP, BMERC etc

Good initiatives Ed big thanks

Thank you for this interesting session!

Thanks everyone for coming :-)

Thank you very much - will follow up for sure

Thank you all very much. I shall report back to the PC!

Thank you. Very interesting. A lot to think about.