Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

Resolved:

To seek approval to undertake the public consultation stage of the draft Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Reason for Decision:

As the Responsible Authority for the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy the council has a duty to undertake a public consultation on the draft LNRS to meet the requirements set by The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet member for Waste and Environment presented a report seeking approval to undertake the public consultation stage of the draft Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Cllr Muns reported that the UK Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan set out the aim to create a national-scale Nature Recovery Network (NRN) in England. The Local Nature Recovery Strategies would deliver nature recovery at a local and regional scale, by mapping ecological networks and identifying habitat restoration priorities. Wiltshire Council has been formally appointed the responsible authority for the LNRS for the Wiltshire and Swindon area, supporting Swindon Borough Council and the New Forest National Park Authority, as well as Natural England.

Cabinet noted that the production of the LNRS has involved extensive partnership working with Responsible Authorities, Supporting Authorities and Defra. Other stakeholder groups included farming and environmental, protected landscapes, ecological NGOs, river catchment partnerships, Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre. The draft LNRS has been produced and was issued to the supporting authorities on 20 Jan 2025 for sign off prior to public consultation.

Cabinet congratulated officers and the Cabinet Member on the development of the draft Strategy and welcomed the engaged with neighbours and linking in with other authorities.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler, Chairman of the Environment Select Committee reported that he received a comprehensive briefing on the draft Strategyon 11 February 2025 and considered the scope of the draft and the consultation and approval process. He was happy to endorse the draft.

Resolved:

To seek approval to undertake the public consultation stage of the draft Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Reason for Decision:

As the Responsible Authority for the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy the council has a duty to undertake a public consultation on the draft LNRS to meet the requirements set by The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023.