Latest news with #RhysBaker
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
People asked for views on protecting nature in South Kesteven
People in Lincolnshire are being asked for their views on protecting Kesteven District Council is consulting on its biodiversity plan, including setting aside land as wildlife authority said the feedback would help it "refine and develop its future direction and actions".The consultation runs until 30 June. Councillor Rhys Baker, cabinet member for environment and waste, said it was a chance for residents, landowners and organisations "to have your say"."I would encourage anyone who has an interest in wildlife and their habitats to take part in this consultation on biodiversity and rewilding," he said."We would like to know what you think of our existing rewilding sites and if there are any other areas of council-owned land you think might be suitable for a biodiversity scheme. "We are also keen to establish how best we can support other organisations and community and voluntary groups to set aside areas of their own land for the benefit of nature."Your feedback will help us measure public support for existing council locations and will also inform us as to how we can best support other organisations to promote biodiversity."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Grantham dog park to double up as wildflower meadow
An exercise area for dogs which doubles up as a wildflower meadow is to open in Lincolnshire park on paddock in Wyndham Park in Grantham aims to cut carbon and boost wildlife diversity, South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) for the 4,784 sq yard (4,000 sq m) site came from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Rhys Baker said the land would "support bees and other pollinators". "We know that spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. When SKDC invests in habitats and wildlife, we are investing in our wellbeing," he said."Changes to how we manage key open spaces can make space for nature."This supports biodiversity and helps our wildlife recover."The council said 71% of people who responded to a poll were in favour of the well as the wildflowers a number of native trees have also been to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Plans to cut weedkiller use over safety concerns
A council plans to cut back the use of a weedkiller after it was linked to safety concerns. The pesticide glyphosate, used by South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) to treat weeds, has been linked to cancer and is harmful to wildlife, including bees, according to Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN). A SKDC report said the manufacturer of the product used by the council confirmed it "is not harmful to animals or aquatic life if diluted and applied according to the manufacturer's instructions". A recommendation will go to the council's cabinet for the continuation of SKDC's strategy to reduce the use of glyphosate on land it is responsible for maintaining. A report to a joint meeting of the Environment Overview Scrutiny Committee and the Rural and Communities Committee on Tuesday said SKDC's use of glyphosate was "already minimal". The council's sustainability and climate change manager Serena Brown said in the report: "When used responsibly glyphosate may have a lower environmental impact when compared to alternative herbicides which may require more frequent applications or have a higher toxicity. "A complete ban could hinder the council's efforts to maintain tree populations, protect biodiversity and ensure successful amenity tree establishment and woodland creation." Councillor Rhys Baker, SKDC's cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "We know that the public has concerns about using glyphosate to control weeds. "We take all matters relating to public health seriously and will continue to strive for viable alternatives to minimise its use for the future which would best protect our biodiversity and ecology." Nick Mole, policy manager for PAN, said: "A growing body of evidence shows there are linkages between glyphosate exposure and a range of ill health outcomes including cancer. "It is particularly harmful to soil organisms, aquatic eco systems and potentially others parts of biodiversity, including bees." He added: "Whilst it's not been proven definitively either way, the weight of evidence showing harmful effects of glyphosate are more than enough to have a precautionary approach to it and end its use when it's not needed." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Thousands support call against using weedkiller Weedkiller opt-out now possible for some residents Weeds the main cause of pavement damage - council Brighton reintroduces weedkiller after ban South Kesteven District Council Pesticide Action Network UK
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
South Kesteven District Council plans to cut use of weedkiller
A council plans to cut back the use of a weedkiller after it was linked to safety pesticide glyphosate, used by South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) to treat weeds, has been linked to cancer and is harmful to wildlife, including bees, according to Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN).A SKDC report said the manufacturer of the product used by the council confirmed it "is not harmful to animals or aquatic life if diluted and applied according to the manufacturer's instructions".A recommendation will go to the council's cabinet for the continuation of SKDC's strategy to reduce the use of glyphosate on land it is responsible for maintaining. 'Lower environmental impact' A report to a joint meeting of the Environment Overview Scrutiny Committee and the Rural and Communities Committee on Tuesday said SKDC's use of glyphosate was "already minimal".The council's sustainability and climate change manager Serena Brown said in the report: "When used responsibly glyphosate may have a lower environmental impact when compared to alternative herbicides which may require more frequent applications or have a higher toxicity."A complete ban could hinder the council's efforts to maintain tree populations, protect biodiversity and ensure successful amenity tree establishment and woodland creation." Councillor Rhys Baker, SKDC's cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "We know that the public has concerns about using glyphosate to control weeds."We take all matters relating to public health seriously and will continue to strive for viable alternatives to minimise its use for the future which would best protect our biodiversity and ecology."Nick Mole, policy manager for PAN, said: "A growing body of evidence shows there are linkages between glyphosate exposure and a range of ill health outcomes including cancer."It is particularly harmful to soil organisms, aquatic eco systems and potentially others parts of biodiversity, including bees."He added: "Whilst it's not been proven definitively either way, the weight of evidence showing harmful effects of glyphosate are more than enough to have a precautionary approach to it and end its use when it's not needed."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Litter clean-up under way at A1 'grot spots' in Lincolnshire
Work is under way to remove rubbish dumped by motorists along a stretch of the A1 in Kesteven District Council said the project was being funded from a £60,000 budget agreed in a cross-party vote to tackle "specific grot spots".The affected area includes stretches from South Witham up through Colsterworth, Grantham and comes after discarded drinks cans, fast-food wrappers and plastic prompted complaints from residents. 'Selfish individuals' Councillor Rhys Baker, cabinet member for waste and the environment, said the initiative marked "a significant investment" towards keeping the road network clean and he added: "The simple truth is that we wouldn't need to do this if it wasn't for the actions of selfish individuals who illegally throw their waste and litter out of the vehicle window, impacting our countryside and threatening our wildlife."In order to carry out the work safely, the council said it had struck a partnership with roadworks contractors to allow litter-picking teams to be deployed at night in designated areas where roadworks were taking authority said it had invested in new bins for A1 laybys in the district, which it said were emptied three times a previously said the cost of tackling litter on the A1 was taking money away from other to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
