To consider the following notice of motion referred to Strategy and Resources Committee by Council on 23 February 2022 (background paper attached):

“This Council declares an urgent need for Ocean Recovery.

We recognise that we need ocean recovery to meet our net zero carbon targets, and we need net zero carbon to recover our ocean.

This Council pledges to:

1.    Report to Full Council within twelve months on the actions and projects that will help with an ocean recovery in North Devon.

2.    Consider ocean recovery in our strategic decisions, plans, budgets and approaches to decisions by the Council (particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy), aligning with climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements, and considering ocean-based solutions in our journey towards a carbon neutral and climate resilient future.

3.    Ensure that the Local Nature Recovery Strategy strives to support ocean recovery.

4.    Work with partners locally to deliver increased sustainability in marine industries and develop a sustainable and equitable blue economy that delivers ocean recovery and local prosperity.

5.    Communication through our social media of actions which are being taken to aid ocean recovery progress, signpost ocean literacy development opportunities, and marine citizenship pledges.

6.    Write to the Government asking them to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by

a)    Ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and Natural England have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our growing number of marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability.

b)    Ensuring coastal communities have a meaningful say in the development of marine policy to ensure it delivers equitable and sustainable outcomes.

c)    Appoint a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities.

d)    And by listening to marine scientific advice, including marine social science, to update the Marine Policy Statement and produce a national Ocean Recovery Strategy which will:

i. Enable the recovery of marine ecosystems rather than managing degraded or altered habitats in their reduced state.

ii. Consider levelling up, marine conservation, energy, industrial growth, flood and coastal erosion risk management, climate adaptation and fisheries policy holistically rather than as competing interests.

iii. Develop a smarter approach to managing the health of the entire ocean that moves beyond Marine Protected Areas and enables links to be made across sectors towards sustainability.

iv. Establish improved processes for understanding the benefits of ocean recovery, leaving no doubt the links between this and human lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

v. Stop plastic pollution at source by strengthening the regulations around single-use plastics and set standards for microfibre-catching filters to ensure that all new domestic and commercial washing machines are fitted with a filter that captures a high percentage of microfibres produced in the wash cycle.”

Councillor Wilkinson to report.

The Committee considered the following notice of motion submitted by Councillor Wilkinson which had been referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee by Council on 23 February 2022:

“This Council declares an urgent need for Ocean Recovery.

We recognise that we need ocean recovery to meet our net zero carbon targets, and we need net zero carbon to recover our ocean.

This Council pledges to:

1.    Report to Full Council within twelve months on the actions and projects that will help with an ocean recovery in North Devon.

2.    Consider ocean recovery in our strategic decisions, plans, budgets and approaches to decisions by the Council (particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy), aligning with climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements, and considering ocean-based solutions in our journey towards a carbon neutral and climate resilient future.

3.    Ensure that the Local Nature Recovery Strategy strives to support ocean recovery.

4.    Work with partners locally to deliver increased sustainability in marine industries and develop a sustainable and equitable blue economy that delivers ocean recovery and local prosperity.

5.    Communication through our social media of actions which are being taken to aid ocean recovery progress, signpost ocean literacy development opportunities, and marine citizenship pledges.

6.    Write to the Government asking them to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by

a)    Ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and Natural England have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our growing number of marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability.

b)    Ensuring coastal communities have a meaningful say in the development of marine policy to ensure it delivers equitable and sustainable outcomes.

c)    Appoint a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities.

d)    And by listening to marine scientific advice, including marine social science, to update the Marine Policy Statement and produce a national Ocean Recovery Strategy which will:

i. Enable the recovery of marine ecosystems rather than managing degraded or altered habitats in their reduced state.

ii. Consider levelling up, marine conservation, energy, industrial growth, flood and coastal erosion risk management, climate adaptation and fisheries policy holistically rather than as competing interests.

iii. Develop a smarter approach to managing the health of the entire ocean that moves beyond Marine Protected Areas and enables links to be made across sectors towards sustainability.

iv. Establish improved processes for understanding the benefits of ocean recovery, leaving no doubt the links between this and human lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

v. Stop plastic pollution at source by strengthening the regulations around single-use plastics and set standards for microfibre-catching filters to ensure that all new domestic and commercial washing machines are fitted with a filter that captures a high percentage of microfibres produced in the wash cycle.”

Councillor Wilkinson presented the notice of motion to the Committee and explained that he had submitted the motion as a result of work of the Local Government Association Coastal Issues Group which he was appointed to represent the Council. The motion had been presented to all Local Authorities located along the coast in England and had been drawn up by two marine biologists. He explained the reasons for the submission of the motion to Council.  He advised that if the motion was approved that regular updates should be provided on progress made.

Councillor Worden and the Chief Executive suggested some amendments to be made to the motion.

RESOLVED that this Council declares an urgent need for Ocean Recovery and recognise that we need ocean recovery to meet our net zero carbon targets, and we need net zero carbon to recover our ocean and that:

(a)  This Council pledges to:

(i)             Work with partners such as Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Free North Devon and North Devon Biosphere to provide a report to Full Council within twelve months on the actions and projects that will help with an ocean recovery in North Devon.

(ii)            Consider ocean recovery where appropriate in our strategic decisions, plans, budgets and approaches to decisions by the Council (particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy), aligning with climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements, and considering ocean-based solutions in our journey towards a carbon neutral and climate resilient future.

(iii)          Make representatives to Devon County Council to ensure that the Local Nature Recovery Strategy strives to support ocean recovery.

(iv)          Work with partners locally to deliver increased sustainability in marine industries and develop a sustainable and equitable blue economy that delivers ocean recovery and local prosperity.

(v)           Communication through our social media of actions which are being taken to aid ocean recovery progress, signpost ocean literacy development opportunities, and marine citizenship pledges.

(vi)          Write to the Government asking them to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by:

a.    Ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and Natural England have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our growing number of marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability.

b.    Ensuring coastal communities have a meaningful say in the development of marine policy to ensure it delivers equitable and sustainable outcomes.

c.     Appoint a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities.

d.    And by listening to marine scientific advice, including marine social science, to update the Marine Policy Statement and produce a national Ocean Recovery Strategy which will:

i. Enable the recovery of marine ecosystems rather than managing degraded or altered habitats in their reduced state.

ii. Consider levelling up, marine conservation, energy, industrial growth, flood and coastal erosion risk management, climate adaptation and fisheries policy holistically rather than as competing interests.

iii. Develop a smarter approach to managing the health of the entire ocean that moves beyond Marine Protected Areas and enables links to be made across sectors towards sustainability.

iv. Establish improved processes for understanding the benefits of ocean recovery, leaving no doubt the links between this and human lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

v. Stop plastic pollution at source by strengthening the regulations around single-use plastics and set standards for microfibre-catching filters to ensure that all new domestic and commercial washing machines are fitted with a filter that captures a high percentage of microfibres produced in the wash cycle.

Councillor Wilkinson advised the Committee that it had been announced today that North Devon had become the first place in the UK to be selected as a World Surfing Reserve.   North Devon was the 12^th World Surfing Reserve in the UK and only the second in the whole of Europe which was a remarkable achievement and recognised the environment.  It would also have benefits for tourism.