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SOUTH HAMS: CLIMATE CHANGE & BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER
OPEN LINK HERE:- https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSWDEVON/bulletins/3586b4d
JOIN THE ‘AVON CHAMPIONS’
For the benefit of existing Aune Conservation Association members who might be wondering what this poster is about, I write to introduce you to an experiment!
This idea is not intended to be a replacement for the ACA but it might manage to breathe new life into an organisation that has become to seem tired and somewhat moribund with the passage of time and arrival of exciting new social media opportunities. Like most of society, we have moved on from newsletters sent by post to email updates and, now, instant messaging via mobile phones! The hope is that through this mechanism we might recruit new members, enthuse some physically fit and more youthful volunteers and, eventually, help our river and associated wildlife to thrive. At least, I’m willing to try and see what happens!
On Saturday 18th March, The Sustainable South Hams Rivers Assembly was held (the first of its kind in the UK) and saw around 150 project, group and community leaders gather to share knowledge, discuss projects and develop new ideas.
The rivers of the South Hams, as with all rivers across the UK, are under intense pressure. Agricultural runoff, sewage pollution, climate change and disruptive infrastructure are among the many factors causing harm to these vital arteries of our landscape. Many groups are working to try and protect our rivers, their wildlife and surrounding ecology, but they can end up working in isolation, reinventing the wheel and lacking connection to one another. The Rivers Assembly, held in Kingsbridge on the 18th March, was Sustainable South Hams’ plan to connect the dots between these many organisations and their important work. Having been somewhat sceptical at first, I am wiling to support this new initiative as something that might help in improving the water quality and biodiversity of the Aune along the entire length of the river in the fullness of time.
In this poster, Louise Wainwright offers the opportunity to join a new group of so-called ‘Avon River Champions’, members of which can communicate very easily via WhatsApp.
If you know of anybody who might be interested in developing this experiment, please ask them to join the ‘Avon Champions’, by use of the link – https://chat.whatsapp.com/HGS11MT2fdY7MOyag3lygu
BIGBURY DECLARES A ‘CLIMATE EMERGENCY’
For the avoidance of any doubt, the following is an important extract from the Oct 2022 Minutes of Bigbury Parish Council
14.0. Climate Emergency
This item was added by the Chairman as a late addition to the Agenda. VS thought that the principle of declaring an ‘Emergency’, was sensible, whether effective or not at parish level, e.g. planning applications. The question of whether the NP could be reviewed to include sustainable polices was raised and advised it could be after 5 years from final approval and that would mean in 3 years time for BPC. However BPC felt there was no reason not to include sustainable policies in its consideration of planning applications and that ongoing consideration of sustainable issues would result in increasing enlightment and action for BPC to play a part in signaling such issues to the parish and should be included in reviews of the NP. VS commented that sustainable policies in the original submission of the NP had been rejected by the Inspector because at the time they were not included in the the National Planning Policy Framework but that that should not prevent the Parish from producing a Carbon Plan. VS proposed support for the declaration, CC seconded and Councillor support was unanimous.
Council Awarded £1m to Support Community Net Zero Targets
South Hams District Council has been granted funding of over £1m to help reduce carbon emissions in the District. The money will allow the Council to deliver targeted business and community support programmes.
The award comes from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The Council is using the money to achieve the most sustainable outcomes possible to support its Climate Change and Biodiversity promise to become net-zero by 2050.
By working closely with specialist organisations, businesses and community groups, the Council can improve sustainable travel infrastructure, begin to decarbonise our marine sector, and help our farming community to adopt innovative approaches to farming that are better for our climate and ecology.
The first step towards improvements is Active and Inclusive Travel through:
programmes of activities to encourage people to use sustainable travel for their work and leisure activities, particularly making our tourism sites accessible through low carbon transport
the development of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, setting out and prioritising interventions to improve the local cycling and walking networks
Agriculture and Regenerative Farming improvements will support the rural economy by:
bringing research and development to our agricultural communities, turning them into a test bed for new technologies and processes so that they can lead the way in improving the national agricultural sector.
supporting farms to transition to regenerative farming processes. Focusing focus on improving soil quality, moving away from pesticides and fertilisers, and improving biodiversity on their sites.
supporting farms and food producers to get their products into local market places.
As a coastal district it is important also important to consider the Decarbonisation of the Marine Economy. Therefore , the District Council will be using their funds to:
decarbonise the Lower Dart Ferry and Salcombe water taxis.
establish the carbon footprint of Salcombe Harbour and develop a strategy to decarbonise the site.
deliver innovative pilot projects to bring new technologies and processes to the marine sector.
Across the District, the Council’s specialist officers will be offering Wider Business Decarbonisation Support and Consultancy with:
support for Community Energy Groups to help them bring projects forward and access funds to support their goals.
support for village halls to strengthen the role they play in our most rural communities.
delivery of decarbonisation plans for businesses, which will then be used to help them access grant support.
work with the local construction sector and its supply chain to strengthen its ability to deliver decarbonised building projects.
Councillor Hilary Bastone, Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the Council and the District’s communities and businesses. It’s vital that we protect our environment through clean growth but still continue to deliver the economic advantages so that our District continues to thrive and grow.
“We all know how important it is to our wellbeing to live a healthy lifestyle and this funding will help us to work towards improving that goal on travel, food and lifestyle for our residents.”
These are only some of the range of projects currently planned with some activities set to begin in January, and others scheduled to run from April 2023 until the end of March 2025.
ENDS
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