Pupils from Seabrook Primary School to join the meeting and discuss environmental issues with members.
Minutes:
Pupils and their teacher from Seabrook Primary School joined the meeting and discussed various environmental issues with members. The Chair, Councillor Whybrow welcomed the pupils and teacher and introduced members and officers. Each pupil gave a short speech. Members responses were led by Councillor Peall in his capacity as Cabinet Member for waste management.
Topics included:
· Recycling in our area (reminding people of what and how to recycle) – ideas included installing more bins and ensuring clear signage. Councillor Peall advised there are 850 bins across the district with a view to increasing this, although recycling is fully encouraged, sometimes recyclable items do get mixed.
· Litter on beaches and more bins to be placed along the seafront – visitors discard cans, food wrappers, fish and chip boxes and disposable barbecues which can harm wildlife and attract seagulls. Councillor Peall said it is important that people either take their rubbish home or use the bins properly. ‘Big belly’ bins installed are extremely efficient and can hold 8 to 10 times more rubbish, however it was noted that some of these bins had been vandalised. .
· Litter on beaches and organizing regular litter picks to tackle this – it is everyone’s responsibility to pick up their litter. Important to encourage and educate people of all ages to keep their community free of litter.
· Communal litter picks in our local area (especially along the motorway and busier areas). Councillor Peall and the Leader, Councillor Monk advised that we are unable to litter pick on roads which are above 30mph limit due to safety reasons. However, litter picks can be organised and the Council would be happy to help with this.
· Litter on Hythe canal and more bins to be placed to tackle this and litter at parks and, again, more bins needed. A clear message to all is that if the bins are full, then rubbish should be taken home and not placed by the side of the bin.
· Schools waste and more bins to recycle their waste better – Seabrook Primary School recycles their paper and card, however the class felt this could be extended to plastic and food waste. It was pointed out that on average there were four pieces of plastic in each child’s lunchbox. Councillor Peall suggested that the school contact their waste carrier to discuss these ideas. Another idea would be to install a compost bin, the Chair mentioned that a ward budget application could be made to help with costs.
· Water stands in our local area. Now that the warmer weather is here, the pupils felt this was important and also to discourage the use of single-use plastics. There are just two water fountains in the district, however contamination and vandalism can cause problems. The children were asked for any suggestions and sites for the Council to consider. .
· Food waste and encouraging more to have home compost bins – also, encourage residents to use their food waste bins. .
· Communal compost areas and communal gardens – compost can help with flower and vegetable growth which also encourages bees. Communal growing patches and allotments are good for physical and mental health, also offering social cohesion. Mr Andy Blaszkowicz advised the children that he is responsible for parks and green spaces. He advised that the Council has its own composting process and this is then used for planting. 90% of waste is recycled from Grounds Maintenance.
Councillor Peall explained the district’s Garden Waste process which is taken to Home Farm in Dover, where it is mulched and processed into compost for local farms
Councillor Monk would welcome any further ideas on communal gardens from the children.
· Wildlife and Bee gardens – the children had many ideas which included wilderness gardens to encourage birds, hedgehog houses and bee hives. Officers mentioned the Council’s developing Green Infrastructure Strategy; Bee lines, a map to show best places to plant to encourage bees; the Coastal Park which is seeded with bee friendly plants; Military Canal; Radnor Park and Bee Road Projects, where 7km of road verges are only cut once a year.
The Chair, Councillor Whybrow asked the children what the Council could do to help further. The children suggested organising litter picks; posters encouraging visitors to take their rubbish home or ensure the bins are used correctly; spread the message to other schools; encourage walking and cycling.
Members thanked the children and their teacher of Seabrook Primary School for their attendance. All were impressed by the pupils depth of knowledge and understanding of these issues and would note and consider their ideas brought forward.
(Councillor David Wimble left the meeting and did not return)