Agenda item

Motion 1:  Recognising and Protecting the Rights of Rivers in East Devon

Proposed by: Cllr Paula Fernley

Seconded by: Cllr Jess Bailey

Supported by:  Councillors Paul Arnott, Charlotte Fitzgerald, Geoff Jung, Steve Hunt, Marianne Rixson, Sarah Jackson, Paul Hayward, Alasdair Bruce, Joe Whibley, Tim Dumper, Ian Barlow, Olly Davey, Anne Hall, Fabian King, Duncan Mackinder, Steve Hunt, Richard Jefferies and Bethany Collins

This Council notes that:

East Devon is home to a network of rivers and streams — including the Axe, Coly, Otter, Sid, Exe, Clyst, Lym and their tributaries, which are central to the district’s ecology, landscape character, cultural heritage and community wellbeing. These waterways support wildlife, livelihoods, recreation, food production and the local economy.

Across East Devon and nationally, rivers are under increasing pressure from sewage pollution, agricultural runoff, over-abstraction, habitat loss and climate change. These pressures threaten biodiversity, public health, climate resilience and the long-term sustainability of our river catchments.

This Council believes that:

To safeguard these natural assets for current and future generations, East Devon District Council should demonstrate leadership by recognising the intrinsic value, ecological importance of rivers and they have rights, drawing inspiration from the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers, including:

•            the right to flow naturally and seasonally;

•            the right to perform essential ecological functions;

•            the right to be free from pollution;

•            the right to be sustained by, and sustain, healthy freshwater sources;

•            the right to support native biodiversity and ecological integrity; and

•            the right to recovery and regeneration from environmental harm.

Council therefore resolves to:

1.         Acknowledge the intrinsic ecological value of all rivers and streams within the jurisdiction of East Devon District Council, and that they have rights, including the Axe, Coly, Otter, Sid, Exe, Clyst, Lym and their tributaries.

2.         Affirm the Council’s commitment, through its planning and policy functions, to giving due weight to river protection, flood prevention, sustainable drainage (SuDS), nutrient neutrality, biodiversity net gain and green infrastructure, including through the emerging Local Plan and development management processes.

3.         Note that river protection and restoration principles have been embedded within the emerging Local Plan as far as current legislation allows, and that these considerations will continue to inform relevant planning decisions.

4.         Continue to work in partnership with relevant national and regional bodies, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, DEFRA, Ofwat and South West Water,  to formally communicate concerns about river health and to encourage stronger protections, effective enforcement and catchment-based approaches. As well as asking our MPs to put pressure on Government.

5.         Recognise the value of citizen science and community-led river monitoring initiatives, and commit to signposting communities to appropriate regulatory bodies and partners where concerns about river quality arise.

6.         Encourage collaboration with community groups, NGO’s, catchment partnerships and other stakeholders, where this aligns with existing Council priorities and resources, to share information, promote good practice and signpost relevant support.

7.         Promote public awareness and engagement, within existing resources, on the importance of rivers to East Devon’s natural environment, climate resilience and cultural heritage.

8.         Request that the Environment Agency, working with local partners, publishes an annual “State of East Devon Rivers” report to improve transparency, understanding and accountability for river condition and management.