Dr Caroline Turner and Cllr Heulwen Hulme

Powys County Hall
Spa Road East
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5LG

November 2nd 2021

Re – PCC voting against declaring an ecological emergency

CC - Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner, and Julie James MS, Climate Change Minister

Dear Dr Caroline Turner and Cllr Heulwen Hulme,

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Trust Wales are writing to you to express our concern over the recent vote by the County Councillors of Powys County Council (PCC) not to declare an ecological emergency at their meeting on September 23rd 2021. 

As you will be aware, Wales is facing both a climate and nature crisis, with 17% of species in Wales at risk of extinction and 30% found in fewer places. But we can change this by putting nature into recovery, which will also play a pivotal role in helping Wales tackle the climate crisis through restoring habitats. This can then have the potential to lock up vast amounts of carbon while providing other vital benefits for Powys residents, such as flood alleviation, clean water and improved health and wellbeing.

In recognition of this, on  June 30th, 2021, the Welsh Government declared a nature emergency and was one of the first parliaments in the world to declare such an emergency. This is widely considered to be a landmark moment and another example of how Wales is willing to take bold steps and make big commitments for the environment and sustainability. The declaration of an ecological emergency would be a key signal of positive intent and a desire of PCC to create a sustainable future for its residents. 

However, your decision highlights the policy gap between national and local commitments that seems to be growing. This decision is also contrary to The Towards 2040 – Wellbeing in Powys Plan, which sets a vision that the: People in Powys will enjoy a sustainable and productive environment.  How will this be possible if nature is in decline, underfunded and unattended?   

Unless we take action to halt nature’s decline and give nature’s recovery the same weighting as the climate crisis, we face catastrophic impacts on how we live and work, the economy, and wellbeing and prosperity for future generations. 

The comments made by Councillors, in particular, that there is “insufficient evidence” to support the motion and that this seems to have become a discussion about concerns of the future of farming are deeply worrying.  Farming and how the land is used does have a huge impact on the health of nature. Whilst we celebrate the increase in nature-friendly farming, not all land use is positive for nature. This can be seen through the catastrophic pollution of the River Wye. This is largely due to the significant phosphate levels caused by intensive poultry farming. This is just one area where more could and should be done to address the nature crisis in Powys and where PCC has a significant role in resolving issues causing natures decline.

Powys is Wales’s largest unitary authority; this and its geography means that it can play a significant role in nature’s recovery in Wales.  The Wildlife Trusts welcome that for the first time in many years’ PCC has an ecologist, a Biodiversity Officer and a Climate Change Officer.  However, we are concerned that neither of the latter two posts are permanent and only have funding secured for a few more months. Therefore, we continue to be concerned about how PCC can deliver its statutory requirements on nature, climate and the environment. PCC, as a public body, have a statutory duty to deliver national policy and has a moral and ethical duty to lead the way for its citizens. 

The Wildlife Trusts, therefore, ask that PCC:

1. Reconsiders its position on the ecological emergency and acts to declare a standalone nature crisis so that nature's recovery can be adequately recognised and resourced.
2. Recognises its role as a leader of change and enables farmers to play an active role in natures recovery
3. Recognises the role Powys has to increase awareness of nature-based solutions and how this will help Powys and Wales adapt to climate change

The Wildlife Trusts would welcome an opportunity to meet with you or present to the PCC Council to discuss this issue. We can also provide Councillors with significant global, national and local evidence that clearly shows the decline in nature and the urgent need to act.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Sharp                                                     James Hitchcock

Director                                                               CEO

Wildlife Trust Wales                                            Radnorshire Wildlife Trust

Dear James,

Thank you for your email and attached letter dated 2^nd November.  Apologies for the delay in responding.  We do understand your disappointment, however, I would like to assure you that whilst the elected Members did not collectively feel able to declare a Biodiversity Emergency, this does not detract in any way from the Council’s strength of support for maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity of Powys.

As you mention, we are and will continue to actively support the work of the Local Nature Partnership, with the draft Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan to be presented to the Cabinet very shortly. This plan, which we know that you have been instrumental in developing, will set out the actions that we, our partners and communities will be taking to address biodiversity loss on an ongoing basis. The recent Welsh Government announcement around investment to support work around biodiversity is very welcome and will be key to making sure that these actions can be taken and achieve meaningful outcomes. We do recognise the importance of a specialist officer in co-ordinating and facilitating this work.

Yours sincerely,

County Councillor Heulwen Hulme

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Environment

Dear Councillor Hulme,

Thank you for your email. 

While I understand that the position of the council, I can’t help but feel very disappointed.  And know that this feeling extends across the whole of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and my colleagues at the other Powys Wildlife Trust’s. 

We are very pleased to support the NRAP and feel the Local Nature Partnership has built in strength over the course of the year.  However, this is just the starting block for conserving and enhancing nature and is largely a policy framework and action plan for the engaged. 

The thrust of the declaration of an ecological emergency (or whatever we feel comfortable framing nature’s recovery as) is about setting a course of leadership and embedding within the Council, and its providers, a measurable and evidenced consideration of the impact on nature that their actions, decisions and procurement has within the county.  This needs to happen across all departments, at every level.

We face unprecedented change in the way land management and farming is supported through subsidy; over the next 10 years we will see big changes in how businesses operate and who owns land.  To support our communities, we must show leadership and guide people on what is possible for nature, climate and wellbeing and how to take action that benefits nature while securing them a sustainable and meaningful income.  The shift of focus to public goods, will help drive this, but the Council can help people make changes now and increase the understanding of the need for this.    

For Powys to be a thriving county and a desirable place to live we strongly advocate that nature is championed and made a focus of the council’s strategy.  We would dearly love to see the River Wye in the news because all parties have committed to and then actioned a meaningful plan to reduce the nutrient input, which is bearing results, and ensuring the river remains a vitally important source of nature, carbon storage, and economic activity. 

I ask that you consider how the Council and its Councillors might move to a position whereby they are undertaking more than just the actions that they are obliged to under their statutory obligations. 

We hope that Welsh Government confirm further funding for the continuation of the NRAP soon and that Powys County Council are able to commit to ensuring that they have a specific role to cover their section 6 Env Act 2016 requirements. 

We’d like to reiterate our offer of talking to key council staff and councillors on this subject. 

We’d also like to notify you that we are working with colleagues across Wales on a campaign on the declaration of ecological emergencies by local authorities which will be youth lead and commence in spring, timed around the local elections. 

I look forward to hearing from you further. 

Regards,

James Hitchcock

Chief Executive Officer/Prif Swyddog Gweithredol

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust / Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Maesyfed