We urge the Council to dismiss the proposal in the Budget Spending Proposals 2023-2024 (Environmental & Fleet Management) namely to stop the cut to environmental services and, specifically, the removal of the remaining Countryside Warden/Ranger.
If this proposal is approved the Ranger Service will be gone. This would have a catastrophic effect on Gateshead’s countryside, its wildlife biodiversity and the well-being of its people.
The Council has a statutory responsibility in respect of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserves and Wildlife sites to further their conservation and enhancement. How can this responsibility be fulfilled without the knowledge and expertise of the Ranger? If approved there will be a substantial impact on sites with no management: they will fall into decline and degradation, litter and vandalism will grow quickly and sites will become insecure and inaccessible to many people.
The petition did not reach the minimum number of signatures required to be debated at Council or be considered at an overview and scrutiny panel.
