Council                                                           Agenda Item 63

Subject:                    Motion for the Ocean

Date of meeting:     19 December 2024

Proposer:                 Councillor Sykes

Seconder:                Councillor Pickett

Ward(s) affected: All

Notice of Motion

 

Green Group amendment

 

That deletions are made as shown with strikethrough below and additional recommendations are added as shown in bold italics below:

 

This council notes:

 

1)    The climate and biodiversity emergencies declared in Brighton and Hove in 2018.

2)    The need for ocean recovery in order to meet our net zero carbon targets and to deliver encourage biodiversity restoration and help meet our decarbonisation targets.

3)    The impact of human activities such as wastewater pollution on ocean health;

 

This council resolves to:

 

Request officers to bring a report to Cabinet which considers explores:

 

1)    Existing relevant B&HCC statutory relationships such with the Defra family; partnerships, programmes and activities that contribute to ocean recovery; The actions and projects that will contribute to an ocean recovery in/around Brighton and Hove.

2)    Work already underway and what additional ocean-based focus within our strategic decisions, plans, budgets and procurement by B&HCC would help us to align better with our climate change mitigation and adaptation goals requirements, and considering ocean-based solutions in our journey towards a carbon neutral and climate resilient future.

3)    How our partnerships can better support ocean recovery and work towards a sustainable ‘blue economy’, ensuring synergy between our Local Plan, our Economic Plan and the South Marine Plan; How to ensure that local planning supports ocean recovery, working closely with the Marine Management Organisation to embed strong links between the Local Plan and the Southeast Marine Plan.

4)    How to grow public ocean literacy and marine citizenship, fostering pride in our seaside city, including:

a.    How to ensure pupils are given the opportunity to experience the ocean first-hand before leaving primary school.

b.    Exploring how the council can work with cultural, business and civic organisations throughout the city to promote marine and coastline cleanups and volunteer opportunities.

5)    Request our CEO write to government with two requests (a) Ensuring IFCAs have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability. (b) Emphasising our concerns about ocean health and the importance of bringing water companies back into public hands to regain control of excessive pollution of coastal waters.

 

Recommendations to read if carried:

 

This council notes:

 

1)    The climate and biodiversity emergencies declared in Brighton and Hove in 2018.

2)    The need for ocean recovery to deliver biodiversity restoration and help meet our decarbonisation targets.

3)    The impact of human activities such as wastewater pollution on ocean health;

 

This council resolves to:

 

Request officers to bring a report to Cabinet which considers:

 

1)    Existing relevant B&HCC statutory relationships such with the Defra family; partnerships, programmes and activities that contribute to ocean recovery;

2)    Work already underway and what additional ocean-based focus within our strategic decisions, plans, budgets and procurement by B&HCC would help us to align better with our climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

3)    How our partnerships can better support ocean recovery and work towards a sustainable ‘blue economy’, ensuring synergy between our Local Plan, our Economic Plan and the South Marine Plan;

4)    How to grow public ocean literacy, fostering pride in our seaside city.

5)    Request our CEO write to government with two requests (a) Ensuring IFCAs have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability. (b) Emphasising our concerns about ocean health and the importance of bringing water companies back into public hands to regain control of excessive pollution of coastal waters.