Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Climate Change Delivery & Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/049

Contact: Beccy Micklem, Principal Biodiversity Officer, beccy.micklem@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA11).

To approve Oxfordshire County Council’s acceptance of its appointment as Responsible Authority for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, subject to the associated funding being considered by officers as sufficient and the Regulations and Guidance implementable and approve the Governance Structure for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    note Oxfordshire County Council’s anticipated appointment as Responsible Authority for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

b)    approve the Governance Structure for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report on the proposed governance structure for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

The Environment Act 2021 introduced a requirement to produce Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). LNRS would be spatial strategies that establish priorities and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits.

The County of Oxfordshire had been identified as a geographical area for an LNRS, and Oxfordshire County Council had accepted a nomination from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to be the provisional Responsible Authority to lead production of the Oxfordshire LNRS in March 2022. The Council expected to be formally appointed Responsible Authority in May 2023.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment introduced the report.  He paid tribute to the work of Beccy Micklem, Principal Biodiversity Officer, in developing this strategy and commented, in particular on the joint working with partners and the financial provision.

Members welcomed the introduction of the LNRS and, during discussion, the following points were made:-

·       There would be a need to ensure ongoing financial provision in the long term

·       The strategy would have a significant impact on a range of Council policies

·       The importance of the natural environment and biodiversity in Oxfordshire and the opportunity for the Council, as lead authority, to work with a range of partners in delivering positive outcomes from the strategy

·       There should be more involvement from schools in the delivery of the strategy, particularly in view of their land assets

·       The Council should consider other types of engagement including organisations such as the Universities

Councillor Sudbury moved and Councillor Gant seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    note Oxfordshire County Council’s anticipated appointment as Responsible Authority for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

b)    approve the Governance Structure for the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy