Stafford Borough Council is calling for tougher measures to crack down on wildfires and those found to be starting them deliberately after blazes destroyed homes in Stoke-on-Trent and rare heathland in Cannock Chase.

Two fires devastated 15 hectares (37 acres) of heathland in Sherbrook Valley, near Brocton, last month, killing lizards, adders and other animals and leading to the temporary closure of a section of Chase Road.

At the latest Stafford Borough Council meeting (8 September), Green Party members Doug Rouxel and Emma Carter urged the authority to write to the Government to call for legislation to be made more stringent to tackle wildfires.

They wish to see measures including larger penalties for those deliberately starting wildfires and burning waste illegally and a greater level of restriction on all activities in public spaces and private land which could accidentally lead to wildfires.

They are also asking the government to lower the standard of proof for activities involving burning of waste outdoors, so that video and photographic evidence is sufficient for prosecution and the timeframe for investigations is shortened.

Cllr Rouxel, who presented the motion at the meeting, said: "We had one of the hottest, driest summers in recorded history and we had damage to properties in Stoke and Stourbridge.

There was also damage on Cannock Chase.

"This is becoming a significant issue within our borough and the country; this isn't something we are used to.

"Sadly, what some local people are used to is burning of rubbish in their local area.

"It happens all year round.

"People in villages around Stafford have spoken to me and sent me photos showing what they have to deal with – unlicensed burning of rubbish.

"This is a problem for the health of local people, it's a problem for the health of the wildlife and it is a problem we should be able to address.

"I would urge people to support this as it's an important issue for residents and with the increased risk of wildfires I imagine we will see next year."

Cllr Tony Pearce said: "Cannock Chase has been mentioned and it's not just the damage to the landscape – anyone who has been there and seen the blackened landscape stretching all around would be appalled at the situation.

"It is the damage to wildlife and habitat, adders and nightjars and rare species Cannock Chase is a haven for, and all that habitat has been destroyed; there is already a problem there with other plants that take over in place of the heather and out-compete it."

Cllr Frances Beatty put forward the views of a local resident to fellow elected members on the use of photo and video evidence.

She said: "He supports the motion but he has concerns, specifically the reference to lowering the standard of proof for burning of waste outdoors so that video and photographic evidence is sufficient for prosecution.

"I do not believe that photographs submitted by members of the public should be regarded on their own as sufficient evidence, it should support or initiate an investigation.

"Photographs and videos can be difficult to reliably geolocate."

The meeting heard that some burning takes place legally, with environmental permits and exemptions in place.

Cllr Beatty said: "He adds that he would favour an amendment that video and photo evidence play a stronger role in enforcement, and enable investigations to take place more quickly while maintaining appropriate requirements for verification before a prosecution is brought."

The amendment was accepted and cllrs voted in favour of the motion.

But a further amendment put forward by council leader Aidan Godfrey, to discuss the issue further with the appropriate cabinet member, failed to gain enough votes to be carried.

Cllr Rob Kenney said "I fully support this motion but I have concerns about the second part which introduces greater restrictions on activities on public and private land that could accidentally lead to wildfires.

"How do we determine everyday jobs out in the countryside that could spark something?"

Cllr Carter said: "The motion asks for us to write to Government to come up with a framework, with the full weight of the civil service behind it as a measure to help us curb the issue of wildfires.

"We have a lack of ability as a borough council to take truly meaningful action against the illegal burning of waste, when commercial waste is being burnt without a licence.

"Multiple times a week I have received emails with pictures, videos and information, from residents in my ward.

"These residents are plagued by burning – not just of biological materials, but plastics, kitchen appliances and old cars being burned frequently on agricultural land.

"Think about the hottest day of the year, and by 11pm it's just cool enough to open your windows to try and get some air in before you go to sleep.

"The first thing you smell and feel is that acrid, nasty, burning plastic smell at the back of your throat and mouth that is coming from no more than 100 metres away.

"No matter what you do, or who you speak to, nothing seems to work.

"That's who this motion is for."