The meeting focused on the council's approach to changing mowing regimes to enhance biodiversity. The council aims to balance the needs of wildlife with the aesthetic and recreational needs of the community.

Mowing Regimes and Biodiversity

The council is reviewing its mowing regimes to create a more sustainable approach that benefits biodiversity. Traditionally, grass in parks and open spaces has been cut fortnightly, but the council is now looking to change this to support wildlife, particularly pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plan includes:

• Consultation with AES: The council will work with AES, responsible for maintaining green spaces, to understand the impact on staff, machinery, and finances.
• Community Engagement: Recognizing that changes to local green spaces can be emotive, the council plans to engage with the community to explain the benefits and reasons for the changes.
• Pilot Sites: Six initial sites will be used to trial the new mowing regimes, with the potential to expand to other areas based on the results.
• Communication Plan: A detailed communication plan will be developed to inform the public about the changes and the benefits for biodiversity.

Presentation by Councillor Yates

Councillor Yates provided a visual presentation showing examples of how the new mowing regimes could look. Key points included:

• Threshold Strips: Mowing strips along pathways and around statement trees to maintain a neat appearance while allowing other areas to grow wild.
• Wildflower Meadows: Examples from other councils showing the positive impact of wildflower meadows on local biodiversity.
• Site-Specific Plans: Detailed plans for specific sites like Halls Road and Biddulph Valley Park, showing how different areas will be managed for biodiversity.

Discussion Points

• Cost and Savings: There was a discussion on whether the new regimes would save money or incur additional costs. The council emphasized that the primary goal is biodiversity, not cost-saving.
• Invasive Species: Concerns were raised about managing invasive species and ensuring that the new regimes do not lead to the spread of unwanted plants.
• Wildlife Protection: The council will work with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to ensure that the new mowing practices do not harm local wildlife, such as hedgehogs and ground-nesting birds.

Work Programme

The committee discussed the work programme and the use of a new Teams channel for communication. Members were encouraged to provide feedback on items they want to be included in the work programme. The leisure operations model was highlighted as an important item to be considered before any cabinet decisions are made.

The meeting concluded with a reminder to spread the word about the new initiatives and the benefits they bring to the community and local biodiversity.