Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council confirm its agreement, as a Supporting Authority, for Devon County Council, as the Responsible Authority, to publish the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive considered a report regarding the publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the geographical area covering Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, which was a legal requirement led by Devon County Council, with Exeter City Council acting as a supporting authority. Particular reference was made to:

·        the recommendation sought agreement for the strategy to be published;

·        the strategy mapped important habitats, species, and provided opportunities for biodiversity enhancement across Devon, including Exeter’s valley parks;

·        a public consultation was undertaken by Devon County Council and was considered positive;

·        an interactive online GIS mapping platform had been developed to allow easy public access and exploration of biodiversity assets;

·        the significance of Exeter’s urban contributions to county-wide biodiversity and potential for biodiversity net gain (BNG) was highlighted;

·        an all Member briefing had previously been held which showcased the website and explained its use with guidance from the county ecologist; and

·        the strategy was an example of successful cross-council collaboration across Devon.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and

Questions:

·        it was enquired how the public would access the interactive Local Nature Recovery Strategy website and whether a link could be provided via the City Council website or directly to Devon’s site; and

·        what was the officer involvement in the working group and had they been engaged throughout the strategy’s development?

The Leader having sought confirmation, advised that Exeter City Council could not make changes to the Strategy itself and was only in a position to endorse its publication.

An opposition group leader raised the following points and questions:

·        raised concern over significant local nature depletion, both on land and in water and what was being done about this;

·        identifying sites for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) locally was important to improve nature in Exeter rather than elsewhere;

·        highlighted the need for a connected network of habitats, not just isolated units, to enable wildlife to thrive;

·        the reliance on developer contributions alone was insufficient and local biodiversity strategy needed to be developed, with clear, proactive actions involving the community; and

·        the mapping tool was welcomed, but there was a need to translate priorities into actions to protect wildlife species.

The Leader clarified that the report was endorsing publication only and did not require the Council to take further action at this stage. He emphasised that the Council was not being asked to decide what it should be doing locally regarding biodiversity. Other processes existed for addressing the actions and concerns raised, and those should be directed to the Portfolio Holders Strategic Directors.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor

Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council confirm its agreement, as a Supporting Authority, for Devon County Council, as the Responsible Authority, to publish the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy.