Agenda item

The Committee considered the Local Nature Recovery Strategy update report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change presented by Stuart Priestley, Principal Ecologist (for copy, see file of minutes).

The Principal Ecologist explained that the Environment Act 2021 made the preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) a statutory requirement.  48 local authorities were appointed as LNRS responsible authorities and Durham County Council was appointed one of the four responsible authorities in the North East region.  An LNRS is a spatial strategy for nature conservation at a county level comprising of two parts, a mapping exercise to define where resources should be prioritised and a statement of priorities to identify priority habitats and species, together with associated actions and targets. In addition to prioritising nature recovery, the LNRS will influence other areas of work such as planning and development; the promotion of health and wellbeing; future investment for nature recovery and the identification of locations for nature-based solutions to climate change.

The Principal Ecologist informed the Committee that whilst the initial regulations and guidance on the LNRS were provided by Defra in March, guidance on policy and delivery mechanisms was ongoing.  Work to date had focused on engaging with the Local Records Centre, creating links with government agencies and establishing a Regional Steering Group which includes representatives from the four regional LNRSs, to share information and ensure cross boundary opportunities were incorporated into the strategy.  In addition, work had commenced on the development of the consultation process.

The Committee noted the consultation was a two-stage process, the first stage would be used to inform the writing of the LNRS, to be followed by consultation on the draft LNRS. The first stage aimed to identify locations currently valued for nature; locations that consultees believed could be improved for nature and groups of habitats and species which should be prioritised. Colleagues in the Council’s consultations and GIS teams were helping to develop the consultation, in conjunction with members of the Ecological Emergency Board. The Ecological Emergency Board had produced a draft list of consultees which was to be refined at a meeting of the Regional Steering Group. 

It was recognised that various engagement approaches would be necessary.

A schools engagement process was being developed alongside the Children and Young People’s Service and initial conversations had been held with regard to consultation with developers and ecological consultancies.  All residents of County Durham will be consulted at both stages of the process.  The consultation and the dedicated LNRS website would be promoted via Durham County Council’s website, social media and the County Durham News publication. 

The four regional LNRSs had agreed that the Environmental Records Information Centre for the North East of England (ERIC) was best placed to deliver the local habitat map. This would assist the regional LNRSs to establish links across boundaries.

The Principal Ecologist concluded the presentation by highlighting that the developing LNRS will link with the Council’s Ecological Emergency Action Plan, through the Ecological Emergency Delivery Plan Group which included representation from a member of the Ecology team who is leading on the LNRS work.

The Chair asked whether there was scope for the Committee to have input into the public consultation. The Principal Ecologist agreed to provide the draft version of the online consultation, for circulation to the Committee for feedback to be provided, prior to the public consultation commencing.  He caveated that the public consultation questions would be broad, however, members of the public who wished to have greater input would be able to do so as a contact email address will be provided. The Principal Ecologist confirmed that the consultation process will include elected members.

Councillor Stubbs asked what steps would be taken to ensure the consultation is representative and whether any education and engagement with the public will be carried out, prior to the consultation.  The Principal Ecologist highlighted the aim is to reach as many residents as possible through various mechanisms, including social media platforms, by publicising the LNRS and why it is important, on the Council’s website, awareness raising through local town and parish councils and by encouraging elected members to publicise the consultation through their networks.

In response to a comment from Councillor Stubbs regarding the balancing act to be achieved between protecting the natural environment and encouraging public participation, the Principal Ecologist acknowledged that the LNRS, as a county-wide spatial document, will need to consider competing demands and ensure the correct course of action is taken in each location.

Councillor Elmer expressed the view that the public will be vital to the success of the strategy as their views will help to inform various aspects of the strategy such as the key locations.  He commented on the importance of identifying practical constraints, for example, plans for land which is valuable for development may conflict with plans under the LNRS and therefore negotiations may be necessary. The Principal Ecologist highlighted that whilst similar work to that of the LNRS had previously taken place, the LNRS differed in that it involved public and private sector finance, therefore it provided levers to change established land management practices for greater environmental benefit. 

Councillor Sutton-Lloyd referred to an ecological project in Newton Aycliffe and he echoed the comments regarding the importance of public and partnership engagement which had played such a big part in the success of the project. The Principal Ecologist responded that learning from projects such as that described by Councillor Sutton-Lloyd would assist to better understand the mapping process, particularly within urban environments.

Referring to the Defra ringfenced funding Councillor Sexton asked how the funding was allocated to the responsible authorities and what the approach to the strategy would be. The Principal Ecologist explained that the allocation of funding provided for slight variations in the amount allocated to each area, based on the size of the authority.  Pilots were undertaken in the four regional areas and whilst each responsible authority will tailor their approach, Defra had set out a strict framework for authorities to work within. Councillor Sexton asked whether there would be scope within the strategy to address blights on the environment such as fly-tipping,  the use of quad bikes and invasive tree species. The Principal Ecologist clarified that the consultation aimed to identify pressures such as those mentioned by Councillor Sexton and the LNRS would recognise pressures and, if deemed significant enough, would promote actions to address them.

Councillor Elmer highlighted that whilst the LNRS sought to investigate the decline of natural systems and identify how they can be recovered, it also provided an opportunity to link with the work of the Ecological Emergency Response Plan, to develop actions to promote nature conservation.  The Principal Ecologist noted the commonality in the two pieces of work and that the LNRS would help to

inform the public on nature conservation and related issues.  Councillor Elmer suggested that metrics to monitor the progress of the LNRS may also help to measure the success of the Ecological Emergency Response Plan. The Principal Ecologist replied that metrics would need to be developed with regard to priority habitats and species and it was proposed to establish sub-groups for that purpose.  He added that reviewing and updating the strategy will be a core part of the role of the responsible authority and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will announce the review frequency of LNRSs, which is likely to be approximately three to five years.

Councillor L Brown joined the meeting at approximately 10.00 am.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Principal Ecologist commented that devolution may have an impact on finances and resources for the LNRS in the future. The Chair concluded the discussion, stating that it was clear from the comments made that the Committee was committed to assisting in the work to progress the LNRS.

Resolved

a)    That the contents of the report be noted.

Further to the discussion at the meeting, the following additional recommendation was agreed:

b)    That the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be engaged in both of the proposed consultation stages planned for the LNRS and that, following the meeting discussions are held with the Service Grouping to ensure arrangements are made for both stages of the consultation to be included in the Committee’s future work programme.