Liberal Democrats strengthen framework around community food growing schemes

In a Full Council Meeting on the 6 December, the Liberal Democrats successfully tabled an amendment to a motion from the Green Party on community cultivation initiatives, to give the motion’s proposals the legal, financial and governance structures needed to make the motion’s ideas work.  

Liberal Democrat councillors wholeheartedly welcomed the aspirations of the motion designed to see increased community cultivation of food and flower beds, but tabled the amendment to ensure that the logistical aspects of the motion’s ambitions were secured.

The amendment will see the motion referred to the Climate Advisory Group (proposed to change its name to Sustainability and Climate Advisory Forum) to fully consider the financial, resources, ownership and legal implications and make recommendations to the Strategy and Resources Committee.

Noting that plenty of community growing schemes already exist, Liberal Democrat District Councillor Robert Donald who tabled the amendment, said:
 

''I’m very pleased that the proposer of the motion accepted this important amendment. Liberal Democrat councillors wholeheartedly support the proposed ideas of more community cultivation, and understand the widespread support residents have for such right-to-grow and sustainable, marginal land food schemes across the district. Indeed we have already helped to achieve such  initiatives since running the Council by working with staff and voluntary organisations to introduce them on local sites.

‘’It is heartening that the original proposers accepted that their motion omitted crucial implementation details. Liberal Democrats were able to use their experience by adding the practical resources, financial, administrative and legal implications that will need to be researched first for any proposed site.  This will ensure the idea is fully thought through, rather than just being a political soundbite, and has a far greater likelihood of future success and becoming part of the Council’s normal sustainability practice.’’