Issue - meetings

Mr D Wimble - Cabinet Member for Environment presented the item. Matthew Smyth- Director for Environment and Circular Economy and Elizabeth Milne Natural Environment and Coast Manager- were in attendance

1)    The strategy was part of a national initiative that would encompass 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRSs) being developed across England. The discussed strategies would form the backbone of the National Nature Recovery Network.

2)    The Nature Recovery Network would be a key mechanism for delivering on the Environment Act 2021 commitment to halt the decline of nature and work towards the targets that had been published in 2022. The development of the LNRS for Kent and Medway would be funded through a grant from DEFRA, which had formally appointed KCC as the responsible authority.

3)    Development of the strategy would follow the statute guidance set by DEFRA.  Strategies would align and create a wider network countrywide.  Strategies would look to identify the priorities for nature recovery and the potential measures to be implemented.

4)    Collaboration with stakeholders and delivery partners had ensured an opportunity to fully input the strategic development. The strategy had also identified a number of priority species that would need to be considered.

5)    Over the course of the development of the work over 20 workshops had been held with over 900 individuals attending. Over 250 different organisations were also represented.

6)    The discussed strategy was centred around ten key ambitions; each reflected the core priorities and outlined potential measures for exploration. A public consultation was held in January and had received 330 responses.  It was suggested that this demonstrated a strong support for the proposed measures and confirmed alignment with stakeholder expectations.

7)    While certain amendments had been made to the broader details of the strategy, it was noted that the core founding principles remained unchanged.

8)    KCC was required to submit the final strategy to all planning authorities nationwide, as well as to Natural England, initiating a 28-day review period. The process provided an opportunity for issuing a public advisory notice. The review commenced on 1st September and was scheduled to conclude on 29th September. To date no major issues had been identified.

9)    Officers responded to the members questions on returning wildlife species. It was indicated that 30 of the county wildlife recorders was to be used to identify the 141 species of taxa would be targeted. No invasive species was to be introduced.

10) Members raised concerns regarding the Council’s capacity to implement the proposed strategies. Officers clarified that the strategy was led by DEFRA and not by Kent County Council. The responsibility for delivery laid with DEFRA, while KCC would hold a supporting role as the responsible authority. Officers recommended that progress updates be presented at future Committee meetings.

RESOLVED to endorse the proposed decision, namely:

That the Cabinet Member for (the Kent) Environment agree to

1)    APPROVE and ADOPT the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy, developed by Kent County Council as the Responsible Authority under the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27