To comply with the ‘Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006’ there is a duty on Parish and Town Councils to have regard to conserving biodiversity as part of their policy and decision-making process. At last weeks meeting the council took a step further and accepted a new policy document prepared by Councillor and environmental campaigner Ged Leach

In addition to biodiversity being part of the Neighbourhood plan the town council often discuss environmental issues and support the work of Greener Pocklington and Pocklington Green Corridors.

Several protected species can be found in or near Pocklington including white clawed crayfish, all the bat species, brown hare and otters. It also turns out that Pocklington is a major Bee motorway between Bridlington and Sutton on Derwent
The new policy commits the council to:

• Proactively lead on creating community awareness of biodiversity including declaring Pocklington a ‘Nature Recovery Area’.
• Engage a biodiversity expert to confirm species found in the Pocklington area which will form a detailed action plan.
• Continue to support and work with local groups to address biodiversity issues.
• Engage with ERYC nature recovery initiatives and support the ERYC climate strategy.
• Review how the council manages the land it is responsible for to ensure it supports biodiversity.
• Minimise the use of pesticides and herbicides and ensure hedge cutting is only done once a year outside bird nesting season.