URL: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1497

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Notice of Motion referred to Cabinet by Council on 20th March 2025. To establish a Hedgehog Highway Scheme and initatives to enhance the local hedgehog population.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) in response to a Notice of Motion concerning hedgehog highways referred by Council on 20th March 2025.   Councillor Stuart Allen, proposer of the motion, attended the meeting and spoke on the matter.   Resolved:   1. That the Notice of Motion ‘Hedgehog Highways’, be noted.   2. That officers develop, in consultation with the Essex Wildlife Trust, and the Cabinet Member (Climate, Environment and Waste), a programme for how the proposals contained in the Motion would be taken forward.   Reasons for decision:   1. Baselining current hedgehog infrastructure and then assessing opportunities for improvement are the first steps that needs to be undertaken to ensure that there is clarity on the scale of the opportunity for enhancement, potential costs and opportunities for grant funding where cost may fall to the Council.   2. The recommendations are deliverable and recognise both the need and benefit of collaborating to improve outcomes for, and numbers of, hedgehogs in the city.   Other Options:   To reject the motion. However, the intention behind it supports the Council’s and Greater Essex’s biodiversity ambitions.          Note: This is an Executive Function Not eligible for call-in Cabinet Member: Cllr Hyde

Date of Decision: July 21, 2025