Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director - Wellbeing

Purpose of report

To provide a progress update for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan progress report and its

approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty.

1.2         To recognise the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community Nature Plan.

1.3         To note that the development of the 2022-2024 Community Nature Plan (CNP) will include an all-member seminar in 2022 involving planners, as requested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2020, and that the implications of the provisions of the Environment Act will be            taken into account in this next iteration of the Community Nature Plan.

Resolved

(1)          That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan progress report and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be noted.

(2)          That the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community     

           Nature Plan be recognised.

(3)          That it be noted that the development of the 2022-2024 Community Nature Plan (CNP) will include an all-member seminar in 2022 involving planners, as requested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee December 2020 and the implications of the provisions of the Environment Act will be taken into account in this next iteration of the Community Nature Plan.

The Assistant Director – Wellbeing submitted a report to provide a progress update for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty.

Resolved

(1)          That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan progress report and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be noted.

(2)          That the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community     

           Nature Plan be recognised.

(3)          That it be noted that the development of the 2022-2024 Community Nature Plan (CNP) will include an all-member seminar in 2022 involving planners, as requested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee December 2020 and the implications of the provisions of the Environment Act will be taken into account in this next iteration of the Community Nature Plan.

Reasons

Restoring and enhancing the natural environment and green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife is a crucial element of important development and economic decisions. Failure to recognise and assess the multiple benefits of the natural environment will affect community health and wellbeing, important habitats and species and future economic growth. This report seeks approval for recommendations which support plans and organisations that will assist the Council to protect and improve the District’s natural environment and ensure that it remains healthy for people and wildlife.

Alternative options

Option 1: To reject the Community Nature Plan 2020-22 progress update and the recommendations in the report

This is not proposed as, without the Plan’s progress update, the Council would not be able to demonstrate that it is meeting its NERC Act biodiversity duty and complying with its obligations relating to important wildlife sites, habitats and species under European and national legislation as well as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)