Decision details

To approve the policy.

RESOLVED

That the Biodiversity Policy and Action Plan be adopted as council policy.

Reason

Public, Government and industry awareness of Climate change and the fragile state of our environments, local, national, and international have never been higher or the importance of action so urgent.  As a responsible leading local Authority, it is our duty to lead from the front and demonstrate real commitment to recognising the great important of our natural environment and our extreme reliance we place upon it in terms of financial activity, mental health, and wellbeing.

There is a need for a consistent and a comprehensive approach to the Councils management of habitats and wildlife in order that biodiversity is enhanced and increased wherever possible in the borough.

The Council needs a policy that puts the environment into the heart of everything we do, embeds new Legislation such as the Environment Act 2021, and take steps to protect our environments for our future generations.

This Biodiversity policy (Annexe 1) provides the central structure to support the Councils staff and ensure that biodiversity implications are considered central to decision making.

The new Environment Act introduces the requirement for Biodiversity reports, Local Nature Recovery Strategies and the examination and approval of biodiversity gain plans.

[Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee]