BOROUGH NEWS Autumn 2019
eastleigh.gov.uk
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Wildflowers get Borough buzzing You may have noticed a number of roadside verges that provided a stunning floral display of wildflowers earlier this summer. The trial planting of wildflowers aimed to provide more bee-friendly areas and to promote greater biodiversity. The scheme was a huge success and the Council is already planning to increase the number of areas that will be planted with wildflower seeds for 2020.
Plant wild flowers in your garden
Picture above: Verges planted with wild flowers to boost biodiversity
Climate change emergency declared Residents urged to get involved The Council has declared a Climate Change and Environmental Emergency. Our aim is to be carbon neutral by 2025 and support communities and businesses across the Borough to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Following the unanimous decision at its July meeting, the Council has formed an all party working group led by the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Lead for the Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle alongside the Independent Cllr Gin Tidridge and Conservative Cllr Margaret Atkinson. The scale of the challenge means the Council will need to work together with local businesses and residents to help save our environment. Over the next few months, we’ll be developing a new strategy and action plan and
we would like your involvement in shaping this. We are already ahead of the government’s 2020 target on greenhouse gas emissions, are one of Hampshire’s leading local authorities for levels of recycling (including the county’s only collection of food waste) and we have a substantial renewable energy portfolio, but realise there is more that can be done. Cllr Kyrle said: “We recognise that this is a hugely important issue
facing not just our residents, but also our environment, our wildlife and the planet. As a council, we work hard to reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations and to support our residents and businesses in being greener.” See page 15 to find out how a local primary school are helping to protect the planet.
If you’d like to help shape our response to the climate and environment emergency, please complete a short online survey by following this link: eastleigh.gov.uk/cesurvey
Residents loved the floral displays and many enquired about what seed mix we used. To encourage residents to also help the bees and other insects we are delighted to announce that we have 250 FREE packets of the native wild flower seed mix for residents to plant their own wild flower area in their own garden. Seed packs* can be collected from Eastleigh House or Hedge End Town Council on a first come first served basis from Monday 16 September. *one per household For more information visit eastleigh.gov.uk/wildflowers
Win a Go Ape Southampton ticket for a family of four at Itchen Valley Country Park. Simply answer the following question online at eastleigh.gov.uk/borough-news How tall will you feel at Go Ape Southampton? (the answer can be found inside)
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