Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Environment is asked to:

• Accept a Grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ funding and

·         Delegate authority to Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to take relevant actions, including but not limited to, entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as necessary to implement decisions to spend the grant.

The scheme is due to start operating on the first of April 2021 with the first grants being processed in June 2021.

In the Agricultural Transition Plan the Government announced a new scheme for Protected Landscapes (AONBs and National Parks) to manage a grant scheme to support farm diversification, landscape enhancement, wider environmental enhancements and community engagement in the landscape.

Authority is needed to receive funding from Defra and for the Kent Downs AONB Unit, under the KCC Scheme of Delegations to disperse it to farmers and land managers in the Kent Downs AONB in accordance with Defra guidelines.

Background

Since the UK left the EU a new series of funding structures are being put in place to support farmers and land managers. Rather than having a centrally managed farm subsidy based primarily on area payments the basis for future farm payments will be providing ‘public money for public good’. Public goods include carbon management and climate mitigation, public access to land, enhancement of biodiversity, enhancement of the water environment and provision of clean air. Funding can also be provided to support farm business diversification and green jobs.

The new funding arrangements will be provided under the banner of Environmental Land Management (ELM).

Decision:

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree to:

• Accept a Grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ funding and

·         Delegate authority to Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to take relevant actions, including but not limited to, entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as necessary to implement decisions to spend the grant