Agenda item

Report of Assistant Director - Wellbeing

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty. The report also highlights the resource implications of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and seeks recognition for the vital role of the Council’s key biodiversity partners in delivering the Plan.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To approve the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty.

1.2      To instruct officers to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

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

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be approved.

(2)           That officers be instructed to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

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

           Nature Plan be recognised.

The Assistant Director – Wellbeing submitted a report to seek approval for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty. The report also highlighted the resource implications of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and sought recognition for the vital role of the Council’s key biodiversity partners in delivering the Plan.

In presenting the report, the Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor McHugh, thanked the Community Nature Officer: Wellbeing for her hard work drafting the Plan and associated documents.

Councillor Wing, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed Executive to present the feedback of the Committee, which had considered the Plan at its 1 December 2020 meeting. Councillor Wing advised that the Committee had supported and endorsed the Plan and suggested that an All Member Seminar be held ahead of the next review and iteration of the Plan to ensure Member engagement in the process at an early stage. The Committee had also requested to receive an annual update on progress against the Action Plan.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Wing and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their feedback and commented that he supported earlier Member engagement in the process ahead of the next review of the Plan.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Broad addressed Executive.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Broad for his comments, and, in response, explained that recommendations acknowledged the need to consider resource implications. In terms of the role of partners to deliver the Plan, the Chairman undertook to work with partners to take forward the establishment of the Local Nature Partnership.

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be approved.

(2)           That officers be instructed to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

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

           Nature Plan be recognised.

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 presents an updated Community Nature Plan to demonstrate how the Council is addressing its statutory biodiversity duty; and seeks approval for recommendations that support plans, projects and partners that will assist the Council to protect and enhance the District’s natural environment and help to contribute to healthy outcomes for people and wildlife

Alternative options

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

This is not proposed as, without the Plan, the Council would not be able to clearly 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).

Option 2: To amend the Community Nature Plan 2020-22 and the recommendations in the report