Agenda item

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday 27^th November 2020.

A question had been received from Mr Darron Abbott.

“The Question is for Councillor Abbott as portfolio holder for open spaces.

“A portfolio holder for open spaces I am assuming you a aware of a council facility just off London Road which is known locally as Garfits' Park. This is a large recreational area and along three sides has wonderful trees and hedgerows.

“Early in the year Boston Borough Council allowed a large stretch of this valuable stretch of wildlife habitat to be ripped out by a housing developer. Then on the 4th November Boston Borough Council allowed a contractor to virtually wipe out an additional stretch with a flail Mower.

“As I am sure you are aware you personally are contributor to the RSPB, The Wildlife Trust and the Boston Woods Trust so I will assume you supportive of conservation and preservation. I will also assume you are aware of how important hedgerows are to the environment. In winter these hedgerows provide valuable shelter and food for nor only indigenous species but many of the migrating birds.

“Recently conservationist Chis Packham posted a picture on facebook very similar the ones hire provided along with this question along with the following comment "Hello I'm a Redwing. I have just flown here from Scandinavia to feast on your winter berries. But look... oh well , I'll just starve then.

“Would you like to explain to me why Boston Borough Council finds this wanton destruction of habitat and potential murder of valuable wildlife.

“To make things a little easier for you I attach photographs of the destruction and various extracts that offer guidance of competent hedgerow maintenance.”

Response from the Leader:

“Thank you for your question. There is a requirement under the terms of a Licence in place at Garfits Lane, for the Licensee to undertake grass cutting and other seasonal grounds maintenance. The use of a side arm flail mower is a recognised method of grounds maintenance and is considered appropriate for this hedgerow. Officers will however review the timing of hedge cutting next year to ensure it takes place at the optimal time for wildlife.”

Supplementary question submitted by Mr Abbott:

“I thank the officer for writing the answer for the leader. I am surprised that the leader finds that the most appropriate method of hedgerow management is the flail mower. Every guideline I have suggest that the flail mower is the lazy method due to the damage caused to the branches and the risk of disease of entering the plant.

“Therefore may I request that the correct research is carried out and a proper written policy drawn up to ensure the kind of destruction is not justified in the future.”

Response from the Leader:

“The environment is very dear to the Council and I look forward to a policy being drawn up to cover this. To be candid, flail mowing at this time of year, to take both sides down within the drainage boards, it would be frowned upon; it is not something you do.  So I will actually request that we have a policy put in place so that this cannot happen again.  Flailing causes lots of damage to plants and my dog’s paw was damaged recently when someone failed to clean up.  This should also be in the policy, that whoever does it leaves it pretty.”