Reporting on Section 6 -Community and Town Councils

Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Part 1 – Section 6

The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty

Report 2023-2025

Llanigon Community Council (Group 1)

Llanigon CC is a Rural Community Council covering 3 areas- Llanigon, Fforddlas and Capel-y-ffin, part of the Gwernyfed Ward, close to the Welsh/English Border and extends from the summit of the Blackmountains to the Banks of the River Wye and in part situated within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It does not own or manage any lands or buildings

Biodiversity - The variety of life found on earth. It includes all species of plants and animals, their abundance and genetic diversity. Biodiversity provides the life support systems enabling all organisms, including humans, to survive. Insects pollinate our food crops, wetlands purify water and prevent flooding, peatlands store carbon and woodlands purify the air we breathe.

Wales’ species and habitats are in serious decline due to climate change, invasive non-Native species, development, pollution, intensive agriculture and commercial forest plantations

The Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales (NRAP) sets out six objectives for reversing the decline of biodiversity which should be used to help develop and guide actions to comply with the Section 6 duty: The 6 objectives to maintain and enhance biodiversity are:

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels 

Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management

Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation

Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats

Objective 5: Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring

Objective 6: Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery

 

Llanigon Community Council have been desperately trying to acquire the old Llanigon School site since it closed in 2015 which is owned by Powys County Council but have failed to raise the asking price £150k, this would have provided the village with a wonderful greenspace which could have produced an excellent plan for biodiversity.

Llanigon CC wished to raise awareness of the decline in Biodiversity and held an Environmental Awareness and Sustainability workshop in the Llanigon Village Hall to explore simple ways to save money, reduce waste and protect local nature- learning about energy-saving, recycling and wildlife-friendly gardening

Llanigon CC wish to make their residents more aware of the importance of biodiversity and the factors impacting biodiversity and actions everyone can take to help safeguard our species and the habitat in which they live. Working together to help nature recover

 

Actions that could benefit nature:

Putting up bird boxes

Creating dead wood piles/ bug hotels

Create a hedgehog highway with neighbours

Create a wild area in your garden, mow less often and learn to love weeds

Plant native species and use peat-free compost

Use alternatives to pesticides, go organic

Plant native perennials in planters that are pollinator friendly and more drought resistant

Cut hedges in January, leaving food and shelter for birds

Seed heads left uncut will be enjoyed by birds

Build a mini wildlife pond and cover with a wire grid to safeguard smaller people and pets

By gardening for wildlife, you will be rewarded by a truly natural outdoor space, where you can enjoy the plants, animals and birds that make their home there, even small changes can have a real impact. Spending time in nature improves people’s health and well-being

Llanigon Community Council will continue to challenge Powys County Council for a greenspace for the Community to play their part in response to the ongoing decline in biodiversity to support the Wales Nature Recovery Action Plan. At the present time, not owning or managing any buildings or lands, all the Community Council can do is to make residents aware of what can be achieved in their back yards and gardens.