Agenda item

To receive an update on the Counci’s Biodiversity duty.

The Biodiversity & Green Infrastructure Specialist provided Members with an update on the Council’s duty in relation to Biodiversity Duty.

The presentation outlined the requirements and prioritisation of actions to conserve biodiversity in the Borough. Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including all species of animals and fungi and was crucial for public well-being and the economy. The UK had faced significant biodiversity challenges with many species threatened with extinction.

Members were presented with findings of the People and Nature Survey which took place between April – June 2020. The survey results captured that 86% of people reported that the protection of the environment was important to them, 73% were concerned about the consequences of a loss of biodiversity in England, 85% reported that being in nature makes them happy and environmental issues were ranked the 3^rd most important issue facing the UK.

The biodiversity duty, which was established in the 2006 National Environment and Rural Communities Act, was tightened as part of the Environment Act 2021 which required local authorities to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Public authorities were required to periodically consider what actions they could take to further the general biodiversity objective including determining appropriate policies to meet these objectives. This involved integrating biodiversity considerations into operations such as buildings, greenspaces, school grounds, farmland, development management and addressing direct and indirect harm.

Members heard that the Council’s activities as part of its considerations to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the Borough had included incorporating biodiversity net gain (BNG) into designation of development projects, implementing biodiversity considerations into procurement, transport, lighting and waste management policies, educating staff, businesses and stakeholders on biodiversity, preventing the destruction of habitats, managing water, lighting, chemical and energy use to minimise indirect harm to biodiversity and engaging in broader strategies such as the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and the 30 by 30 initiative to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.

Next steps for the Council in relation to its biodiversity duty would require the implementation of the draft action plan followed by the publication of the Council’s first progress report by January 2026 and subsequently every five years thereafter.

Following the presentation, Members asked the following questions:-

Wildflower planting contributes towards biodiversity. As ward councillors, are we able to use our pride fund or ask members of the public to contribute to the planting of more wildflowers in the Borough and if so, what policy needs to be followed?

The Cabinet Member: Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability advised that in Summer 2024, the Council had planted wildflowers on several verges and initiated seeding and that if elected Members wanted to create similar areas within their wards that this could be discussed with their locality officer to find a suitable location to ensure it is included in the cutting schedule managed by the Council’s contractor.

Given the significant impact of farming practices on biodiversity, particularly through the use of pesticides and herbicides and considering the larger proportion of non-built or non-residential land in the Borough, how does the Council plan to engage with the farming community and what mechanisms will be used to encourage appropriate use of pesticides?

The Biodiversity & Green Infrastructure Specialist advised that work with farmers was closely linked with the work the Council was undertaking around the Local Nature Recovery Strategy which would aim to engage with the farming community and promote sustainable practices.