Issue - meetings

To provide the Committee with an update on the Council’s biodiversity duty.

The Ecology & Green Infrastructure Officer presented the Biodiversity Duty Monitoring Report setting out the Council’s approach to meeting its statutory duties under the Environment Act 2021.

Members were advised that the report summarised actions taken between January 2023 and December 2025 and outlined plans for the next five years. The process required public authorities not only to conserve but also enhance biodiversity, supported by monitoring and reporting.

Officers explained that actions had been delivered across a range of service areas, including green space management, development planning and community engagement. Members heard that the report had been published by the statutory deadline of 26 March 2026.

A number of case studies were highlighted, including meadow creation at Boulton Grange and habitat enhancement at Bean Hill, which demonstrated both biodiversity benefits and potential cost savings through changes to land management practices.

Members were advised that Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements formed a key part of the duty. Whilst funding had been provided to support BNG delivery, the resource implications of monitoring and compliance remained uncertain and would continue to be reviewed as the programme matured.

In response to questions raised on the financial and resource implications of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Ecology & Green Infrastructure Officer explained that developer contributions included provision for long-term monitoring, although the overall scale of workload was still emerging and would continue to be monitored as schemes progressed.

Members sought further clarity on the delivery of habitat enhancements across the borough. Officers confirmed that improvements were taking place across a wide range of sites, including parks, nature reserves and amenity spaces, and were not limited solely to Green Flag locations.

Following a discussion on balancing biodiversity improvements with recreational use of green spaces, the Ecology & Green Infrastructure Officer highlighted the importance of adopting site-specific approaches. Members heard that careful consideration was given to how spaces were used, including dog walking, with an emphasis on community engagement and managing competing priorities.

Responding to questions raised on opportunities for increasing biodiversity planting, the Ecology & Green Infrastructure Officer noted that there was scope to expand wildflower planting, reduce mowing regimes and encourage greater community participation, whilst also recognising the need to manage public expectations regarding the visual appearance of such areas.

Responding to queries regarding innovative approaches to habitat creation, the Ecology & Green Infrastructure Officer highlighted the use of techniques such as green hay seeding, which could reduce costs while delivering effective ecological outcomes.

Following a number of questions raised on community involvement, Officers emphasised the importance of education, volunteer engagement and partnership working, including collaboration with Friends groups and local community organisations to support biodiversity initiatives.

The Committee noted that future monitoring would include the development of clearer performance measures and improved data systems, alongside consideration of whether more regular reporting would be beneficial.

The Committee welcomed the report and noted the progress made in delivering the Council’s Biodiversity Duty.