Agenda item

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment concerning the Council’s proposed response to a petition regarding Saintbridge Pond and Nature Reserve that has obtained in excess of 1,000 signatures, thus triggering a Council debate in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

61.1    Councillor Gravells presented a petition which had been signed by over 1000 residents regarding desilting Saintbridge pond. He both paid tribute to the organisers of the petition and noted that recommendations had been proposed by Officers.

61.2    Councillor Cook proposed and Councillor Norman seconded the recommendations contained within the report.

61.3    Councillor Cook outlined works that had taken place on nearby floodwalls, and that it was felt that dredging was not currently needed and by not doing so, could improve biodiversity.

61.4    Councillor Gravells proposed and Councillor Durdey seconded the following amendment:

(1)  The contents of the petition be noted and the petitioner be thanked for raising this issue and for her work in collecting this record number of names, which is a demonstration of local community action at its best.

(2)  The Council’s thanks be given to the members of the Friends of Saintbridge Pond (FOSP), the men and women who turn out regularly to enhance, improve and maintain the large area of City Council land, saving the council thousands and thousands of pounds every year.

(2)(3)The contents of this report be noted.

(3)(4)  It be noted that the management plan for Saintbridge Pond Nature Reserve, that already exists and which has been shared with partners is noted addresses the silting up issue and notes the strong view amongst local residents that the pond should be restored to open water and should funding become available in the future for the de-silting of the pond, in part or in whole, it would be considered.

(4)(5)  It is noted that tThe Council will not plan to carry out dredging at this time, for the reasons set out in this report, but will keep this position under review will continue to review the issue of removing the silt and will work with the FOSP to set up a local FOSP Community Group to meet periodically, composed of four members of the FOSP, the relevant City Council staff (if available), the relevant Environment Agency staff (if available) and the Abbeydale City Councillors, to keep the silt issue under review, and to continue to talk to other partners and agencies to find funding to do the desilting work.

(6)      It is noted that tThe Council will work with partners to manage the perimeter vegetation and foliage at the site.

65.5    The amendment was accepted by the mover of the original mover of the motion and therefore became the substantive motion.

65.6    Councillor A. Chambers moved and Councillor O’Donnell seconded the following amendment:

1)    The contents of the petition be noted.

2)    The contents of this report be noted.

3)    The management plan for Saintbridge Pond Nature Reserve that already exists and has been shared with partners is noted.

4)    It is noted that the Council will not plan to carry out dredging at this time, for the reasons set out in this report, but will keep this position under review.

5)    It is noted that the Council will work with partners to manage the perimeter vegetation and foliage at the site.

6)    It is noted that that to obtain correct costings for de-silting the Saintbridge Pond, the protection of wildlife and the safe guarding of our local environment the following should take place:

a.    A contamination report for the site should be carried out at a minimum of 10 trial pit sites. This will enable tests to determine if the site contains contaminated earth or not.  

b.    Water tests carried out to determine if the water is of good quality.

c.    3 x De-silting quotes undertaken following the contamination report from local contractors.

d.    Water improvement works following the water quality tests should any contaminants are found.

e.    Funding for the above works and the protection of our environment is critical to the nature and well being of our city residents and wildlife.

61.7    The amendment was not accepted, was put to a vote and was lost.

          RESOLVED: - that:

1)    The contents of the petition be noted and the petitioner be thanked for raising this issue and for her work in collecting this record number of names, which is a demonstration of local community action at its best.

2)    The Council’s thanks be given to the members of the Friends of Saintbridge Pond (FOSP), the men and women who turn out regularly to enhance, improve and maintain the large area of City Council land, saving the council thousands and thousands of pounds every year.

3)    The contents of this report be noted.

4)    It be noted that the management plan for Saintbridge Pond Nature Reserve, has been shared with partners addresses the silting up issue and notes the strong view amongst local residents that the pond should be restored to open water and should funding become available in the future for the de-silting of the pond, in part or in whole, it would be considered.

5)    The Council will continue to review the issue of removing the silt and will work with the FOSP to set up a local FOSP Community Group to meet periodically, composed of four members of the FOSP, the relevant City Council staff (if available), the relevant Environment Agency staff (if available) and the Abbeydale City Councillors, to keep the silt issue under review, and to continue to talk to other partners and agencies to find funding to do the desilting work.

6)    The Council will work with partners to manage the perimeter vegetation and foliage at the site.