At last night’s Isle of Wight council Executive meeting members voted in favour of a new Community Growing Scheme.
Presenting the paper to the Executive, Cllr Luisa Hillard – Executive member for Sustainability – said the scheme would be a positive and historic step forward for the council.
Making the Island more sustainable and self-sufficient
The proposal is to make council-owned land more accessible to community groups for the purpose of growing fruit and vegetables. She added that the administration is committed to making the Island more sustainable, more self-sufficient and that the policy directly related to several aspirations in the Island Independents’ Framework for Change.
Cllr Hillard highlighted some of the benefits of the policy. These included:
- Increase in resilience of food supply
- A reduction in food miles
- A way of addressing poverty (particular for those relying on the Foodbank)
- A more efficient use of council land
- Public health benefits in light of increasing obesity and associated diseases
- An opportunity to improve the health of Islanders through exercise and better nutrition
- Positive effects on mental health and well-being
Scrutiny Committee opposed scheme
Cllr Geoff Lumley (Lab), in his corporate capacity as chair of the Scrutiny Committee, was initially sceptical about the policy, but later told the meeting he had been persuaded by Cllr Hillard’s presentation and personally supported the proposal.
He criticised the Executive member for not being present at last week’s Scrutiny Committee meeting to answer questions – leading to the committee recommending the policy should not be approved due to lack of information.
Other areas have benefitted
Cllr Gordon Kendall told members that similar schemes that have been running in the North of England have created greater community cohesion.
Those areas who have embraced the schemes have seen a fall in petty vandalism with the communities becoming far more focused.
Cllr Stubbings said the Ventnor Town Council had already earmarked areas that would be suitable for Community Growing Schemes.
All members voted in favour
Members voted in favour of the policy.
