West Norfolk Council adopts new pollinator action plan

West Norfolk Council has officially adopted a new pollinator action plan, setting out a clear roadmap to protect and enhance the region’s pollinating insects.

Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and beetles play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and agriculture, and the council says their presence “enriches Norfolk’s biodiversity and natural beauty, making the borough a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit”.

However, 23 bee species are now believed extinct in Norfolk, with 25 more considered ‘threatened’ and 31 listed as being of ‘conservation concern’ across East Anglia.

Butterflies are also under threat - the swallowtail butterfly, for which Norfolk is a stronghold, has seen a 41% drop in abundance in recent years.

Cllr Michael de Whalley, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity at the borough council, said: “Since 2004, three-quarters of the UK’s insects have vanished - many of them pollinators.

“These insects are essential, moving pollen from flower to flower while feeding on nectar. They help produce the food we eat and shape the gardens, habitats, and ecosystems we cherish.

“We must act now to reverse their decline. This plan is a vital step in redressing habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. It supports the national pollinator strategy and aligns with Norfolk County Council’s pollinator action plan objectives.

“It shows how we, in West Norfolk, can play our part. Protecting our environment is one of our council’s four key priorities, and this plan is central to that mission.”

The pollinator action plan outlines how the council will:

• Manage council assets and operations to be more pollinator-friendly

• Integrate pollinator needs into council functions, strategies, and policies

• Lead by example, managing land in ways that benefit pollinators and inspire other landowners

• Support local initiatives, identifying opportunities for collaboration and community-led action

This plan complements other environmental strategies, including the local nature recovery strategy and biodiversity net gain. The latter will help restore and connect habitats, enabling pollinator populations to recover and thrive.