Agenda item

(a)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Wilkinson (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.”

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Lofthouse (background paper and supporting letter attached).

“Motion to support the re-instatement of Bideford to Barnstaple rail link for passenger and other services, as proposed by ACE Rail.

This Council agrees to:

1)    Include this policy aim within the revised joint local plan.

2)    Work with partners and organisations to support and develop this idea and to lobby those who may contribute to making this happen including Great British Railways, Devon County Council, Peninsula Transport, and the Government.

3)    Invite Councillor Tim Steer to a future Full Council meeting to give a presentation of what is currently being proposed by ACE Rail.”

(a)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Wilkinson

Councillor Wilkinson presented his notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Wilkinson and seconded by Councillor Yabsley “that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration”.

RESOLVED that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Lofthouse

Councillor Lofthouse presented his notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Lofthouse and seconded by Councillor Walker “that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.