Latest news with #TimGwilliam
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Forest of Dean closer to Unesco 'biosphere' status
The Forest of Dean is to be submitted for consideration as a Unesco "biosphere reserve". If approved, the forest would join 759 special areas in locations from Australia's Sunshine Coast to the Gobi Desert. Forest of Dean District Council voted in favour of applying for the status at a meeting on Thursday. Councillors said they wanted to "ensure what is special about the Forest of Dean is recognised and celebrated". Unesco describes its biosphere reserves as "places where sustainable development practices... can be tested and implemented". Councillors arguing for the biosphere status said it could bring extra investment to the district while creating jobs and promoting sustainable tourism, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The status would build on existing special conservation designations, however, it would not add any extra planning or environmental protections. Around £80,000 has so far been spent on the project to win the status, and eight years already spent working on it. Councillors have now agreed to allocate a further £45,000 from earmarked reserves to extend the council's sustainable environment research and development officer role until April 2027. Councillor Nick Evans questioned spending £125,000 on the application, but, following a debate, said he could see there was a "strong economic argument". There is no intention of closing off any part of the forest, councillors said. They also said the designation would recognise and celebrate the forest's centuries-old traditions, such as freemining – which grants certain locals the right to mine coal, iron and stone on personal plots known as "gales". Councillor Tim Gwilliam asked for the Verderers, a group that has been involved in the management of the forest since medieval times, to be included in future consultations. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ancient tradition of freemining allowed to continue Reserve status could restrict ancient Forest customs 'It will protect and look after our biodiversity' Unesco biosphere reserves Local Democracy Reporting Service The Forest of Dean Verderers
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council criticised for spending £50k on ecologist
The former leader of a council has criticised the authority's decision to spend £50,000 on hiring an ecologist "responsible for the ocean". Forest of Dean District Council plans to recruit an "oceans officer", with the Green leadership saying the post will help protect the "precious" environment in the Severn and Wye rivers. But former council leader, Tim Gwilliam, who represents the Progressive Independent party, has criticised the decision to spend money on something he does not believe to be the council's responsibility. Current leader, Adrian Birch, said the plans had been progressed correctly with "clear support" from the council. The council approved its budget in February, which included an agreement to allocate £50,000 for an ecologist to help deliver the council's rivers and oceans motion, to tackle pollution. "I'm sure Foresters in their ocean-fronted homes in Bream and Bicknor will be well pleased," said Gwilliam. "I noted with some irony that the cabinet member said when asked about possibly funding libraries or road improvements that were not Forest of Dean District Council responsibility at the very same time he and his cabinet were committing to spend tens of thousands of pounds on an oceans officer," he added. The Severn is identified as the worst river in England for sewage pollution, jeopardising ecological, economic, and recreational activity and human health, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Green councillors said the rivers are being polluted by farm and sewage run-off, affecting salmon and eel populations. They also raised the issue of plastic polluting the ocean. Birch said questions over the role had been repeatedly answered. "There is clearly more we can do to work alongside others to protect our precious river environment, but we cannot do this without the necessary additional resource," he said. "We will now be progressing this important work and recruiting to this post. We sincerely hope that all elected members will now get behind us and support this initiative." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Gloucestershire faces decision on 'super council' Thousands to see council tax go up in Gloucestershire New role to help bring life back into market towns Talks underway to decide if county should split in two Fly-tipping fines more than double in new measures Forest of Dean District Council
