Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided an update on the progress of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Principal Ecologist, Stuart Priestley, presented the report and recalled that Durham County Council was appointed as the responsible authority for the production of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), to improve the biodiversity resource across the county. The strategy was to comprise of a local habitat map to define existing biodiversity resources and to identify where further resources should be directed to deliver nature conservation. A Statement of Priorities would identify the results the strategy sought to achieve (priorities) and actions to achieve the results (measures).

The Committee noted that the LNRS was being developed alongside communities and the process included engagement with stakeholders, landowners and the wider public. The Principal Ecologist confirmed that the first round of consultation was complete and a suite of draft priorities and measures for the plan’s delivery were being formulated by partnership-based sub-groups. A proforma for the Statement of Priorities was drafted and engagement was taking place with the Environmental and Records Information Centre for the North East (ERIC NE) to lead on discussions with the sub-groups to develop the mapping element of the LNRS. 

The Chair thanked the Principal Ecologist for the update and invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Nicholls extended his thanks to the team for their work. He noted that Defra’s timescale for the delivery of the strategy had been relaxed, and the expectation was now that the LNRS would be completed in autumn 2025. Councillor Nicholls commented that the work was being carried out within the context of the Council’s declaration of an ecological emergency and he expected the strategy to be an emerging document. He added that he would like to see the completion of the strategy as soon as possible. The Principal Ecologist replied that Defra recognised that its initial timescale for the production of LNRSs was over ambitious, however, his aim was to draft the strategy by spring, with a view to producing the strategy in the autumn, which would align with work by North Yorkshire and South Tyneside.

Whilst the government had not confirmed the exact timescale, it was expected that the strategy would be refreshed every 3 to 10 years. In addition, the Principal Ecologist referred to the complexities of the production of the strategy, which involved various consultations and internal processes. In the meantime, Defra continued to work on the delivery model.

Councillor Elmer praised the excellent progress and he remarked that the strategy was a rare example of work which received cross-party support.  He stated frustration that the Council, as a land-owner, had an opportunity to contribute and that there remained a great deal of work to be done, by the Council, to evaluate land ownership and to understand the opportunities. The Principal Ecologist clarified that work was ongoing with the Corporate Property and Land team with regard to land management for nature conservation and the draft strategy would help to identify gaps. Councillor Elmer gave his view that the Council’s current approach was focused on land value in terms of housing and income, however, there were wider issues to consider. 

Bill McArdle thanked the Principal Ecologist for the interesting report and he asked for information on the working relationship with neighbouring authorities with regard to the compilation of the habitat map. The Principal Ecologist explained that 48 LNRSs were in production across the country, which would link across regional boundaries. He added that he was in contact with areas including North Yorkshire, South Tyneside and Cumbria with regard to their draft measures and priorities.

The Chair asked if it would be possible for Members to view the draft strategy. The Principal Ecologist explained that Members would have an opportunity to comment on the strategy, prior to the final draft, as formal consultation was required to be undertaken, however, prior to that, the draft measures and priorities would be made available on the website. Additionally, engagement would be carried out with landowners and farmers.  The Chair thanked the Principal Ecologist and added that a discussion would take place, following the meeting, as to whether a further informal information session would be required on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Resolved:

Members of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report and welcomed the progress in the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.