Council urged to 'bee' more helpful

Liberal Democrat councillors are urging Gloucester City Council to do more for bees and pollinators.

At a meeting of the city council on July 13, the Liberal Democrat group will propose a motion calling on the Conservative administration to find more locations for planters in Gloucester, and to work with businesses and residents’ groups to fund and maintain them.

The motion also requests that the administration should continue to look for and maintain wildflower sites, after a motion from the Liberal Democrat group in July 2022 calling for more of the sites, which received unanimous support from city councillors.

Podsmead Councillor Sebastian Field who is proposing the motion, said: “Pollinators are the foundation of our ecosystems. Their numbers are falling, and their loss will be catastrophic for the environment.

“We have to do more to help them, so bee-friendly planters with a mixture of pollinator-friendly flowers are a good idea for Gloucester.

“There are lots of businesses who could sponsor them, and residents’ groups who could maintain them.

“In my own ward of Podsmead, we have two fantastic areas of wildflowers funded by the European Union, at Milton Avenue and Tuffley Park, with residents willing to assist in maintaining them.”

Longlevens Councillor Sarah Sawyer, who is seconding the motion, said: “Planters and areas of wildflowers attract bees and pollinators and help to cheer up areas.

“You can even site them in built-up areas without any other greenery. Residents are increasingly concerned about the climate emergency, and this is a way they can help.

“They are willing to pitch in, so it doesn’t always need to cost the council money.”

The motion also calls on the city council to investigate the idea of ‘Bee Stops’ on bus stops.

Councillor Field added: “There is a growing movement among the public to do more for bees in their gardens, for example with No Mow May and sowing areas of bee-friendly flowers.

“This motion extends that into the city and gets us all thinking about utilising small areas of land to help pollinators.”

– The full motion reads:

“This council

Acknowledges the climate emergency our planet is experiencing

Recognises that loss of insects and pollinators will be disastrous for ecosystems

Believes that planters in built up areas can benefit pollinators, enhance neighbourhoods and be a boon for residents’ mental health.

Council therefore resolves to:

Identify locations for planters in Gloucester City

Work with partners, local businesses, and residents' groups, to pay for and maintain them once installed

Continue to identify and maintain wildflower sites

Speak to the county council and Stagecoach about installing ‘Bee Stops’ at some bus stops in the city

Encourage other ideas to support pollinator planting