On 3 December, Conservative Councillors put forward a motion at Waltham Forest full council that would allow individuals to apply for a permit to plant. The permit would allow them to nurture a green space in a residential neighbourhood and provide a structure to oversee the arrangement - much like with allotments. The permit to plant would allow Waltham Forest residents to garden in a residential street but would not apply to public places like the high street where community groups are currently operating freely or existing green space.
A report by the Mental Health Journal, cited by Cllr Seesunkur in her speech suggests: “gardening is able to reduce stress and improve mood, with a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. While gardens can be relaxing, they can also be places where our efforts result in a real sense of achievement, boosting confidence and self-esteem.”
(L-R Cllr Selina Seesunkur / Conservative, Cllr Emma Best / Conservative and Cllr Clyde Loakes / Labour Cabinet Member)
Labour Councillor, Clyde Loakes amended the motion to suggest the Council already offered a permission to plant, which was found to be inaccurate and misleading with officers advising they have never heard of such scheme and no mention of it being found in the public domain. The Council does allow community groups to adopt a flower bed, but this power does not currently extend to individuals.
In the motion the Conservative Councillor made it clear this new permit would be building upon work the Council had already done, by extending planting to grass verges and lamp-posts which would be an ideal location for hanging baskets that enhance residential streets. In her speech Councillor Seesunkur suggested the pilot of smaller spaces could be extended if successful to include planting on rooftops and vertical gardens. The motion also outlined the need for a charter for the revegetation of public spaces, which also commits residents to using local plants and melliferous plants that promote biodiversity.
Cllr Selina Seesunkur, who proposed the motion said: “The idea was to build upon the work already done by community groups, by allowing residents who felt isolated living alone, or who had no garden as a result of living in a flat, to adopt a space which they could nurture as their own.”
Cllr Emma Best, GLA candidate for the North East who seconded the motion said: “I was disappointed Labour chose to play politics with a motion which seeks to contribute to the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, especially as the Council has declared a climate emergency. I find it staggering the Deputy Leader of the council would suggest the availability of a non-existing scheme in his motion and even more staggering no one in the Labour group felt it appropriate to speak up against this. This motion would have been most beneficial to those feeling isolated by everyday life and anxious about group settings which would alienate them from community projects.”
Full text of original Conservative motion and the amended motion from the Labour Party can be found here:
https://democracy.walthamforest.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=37119
The debate at the Council meeting can be watched here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnmYS3DWRQ