An update giving details of the operational changes involved in the Rewilding and Wildflower project, the achievements measured against the Wildflower Plan and recommended next steps.

The Committee considered a report that provided an update on the operational changes involved in the Rewilding project, the achievements measured against the Wildflower Plan and the next steps.

The report explained that the Rewilding project had been underway for four seasons, and this made the fifth year of the commitment to rewilding the Borough. The Rewilding Project had been created in response to the Climate Emergency and commenced in spring 2020, primarily on larger highway verges. Several verges were left un-cut during the growing season, allowing the potential for wildflower species to grow and seed. Site conditions had been assessed in the autumn of 2020 and the resulting Wildflower Plan had been developed, which included additional areas of parks in the Rewilding project.

The report stated that during 2023-24 a further 2 hectares of Prospect Park had been added to the Rewilding Project. The report also explained that the combination of warm and wet weather during summer 2023 had promoted vigorous grass growth which had also prevented the scheduled grass maintenance cutting. This had impacted on the outcome of the Rewilding project as grass overtook many of the verges and the impact of wildflowers had been subdued and lost by these taller grasses.

The report also set out recommendations for 2024-25 including the continuation of the current programme on highways verges and in parks. A full year of Rewilding area management had been scheduled and in order to amplify the wildflower growth, five of the original sites had been programmed for reseeding. The service continued to recruit for the post of a Senior Technical Officer who would be the lead officer for the Rewilding project. The report also noted that changing weather conditions were part of the lessons learnt process being considered within the project, and this could influence the cutting schedule and maintenance moving forward or the variety of seeds/flowers that would be adapted to the changing climate conditions.

Resolved:    That the progress to date on the Rewilding Project and future actions be noted.