Agenda item

Cllr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of the Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, Chloe Edwards, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager, and, Beccy Micklem, Team Leader Landscape and Nature Recovery, have been invited to present a report on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Cllr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of the Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, had been invited to present a report on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (the LNRS).  He was accompanied by Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, Chloe Edwards, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager, and Beccy Micklem, Team Leader Landscape and Nature Recovery. Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, was also present for the start and end of this agenda item.

Following brief introduction from the Deputy Leader, the LNRS Project Manager explained and summarised the LNRS report.

Local authorities were required to develop and adopt an LNRS was mandated for to set local biodiversity priorities and map habitat improvements. This involved collaboration with groups such as the Local Nature Partnership. The target was for the strategy to be published by July 2025, with particular focus on enhancing habitats for biodiversity. It would be reviewed and updated every three to ten years as required by the government.

Members raised a number of topics in discussion including:.

The discussion covered the budget for the LNRS, noting that initial funding was provided but follow-up funding was uncertain. The project aimed to integrate local natural capital mapping by the University of Oxford, identifying and quantifying ecosystem benefits for decision-making. Emphasis was placed on making LNRS projects investable by converting qualitative benefits into quantitative terms to attract funding. The importance of linking with climate finance work led by the Chief Executive was emphasised. It was suggested that the Council should not rely solely on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but that it should also leverage local initiatives like the 100 Together program for funding and support.

Members explored the LNRS’ influence on the Minerals and Waste Plan despite the National Planning Policy Framework's (NPPF) strict mineral provision requirements. There was interest in aligning LNRS priorities with decisions on mineral extraction sites. The LNRS team frequently consults with the minerals planning policy team to ensure alignment. They worked with the Environmental Records Centre to assess biodiversity net gain through mineral restoration, recognising it as a crucial nature recovery opportunity.

The LNRS team emphasised the integrating the LNRS with the Local Transport Connectivity Plan to mitigate road traffic's impact on wildlife, advocating for nature-positive infrastructure like wildlife corridors. Officers stressed alignment with the Oxford Infrastructure Strategy to support biodiversity and habitat connectivity. Collaborating with National Highways and Network Rail, they identified key areas in Oxfordshire to improve habitat connectivity. Partnering with the University of Oxford, the team used statistical analysis and mapping tools to prioritise impactful interventions for biodiversity.

Members expressed concern about whether agricultural landowners were sufficiently involved in the development of the strategy, ensuring their collaboration and realising benefits from increased biodiversity. The LNRS team had engaged farmers and landowners through meetings, informing them about funding opportunities for nature-positive actions, such as capital grants for rainwater harvesting and sustainable farming incentives. A 15% uplift in biodiversity net gain units, would increase financial returns significantly, with unit prices rising from £20,000 to £23,000.  This was in addition to the long-term benefits on improved biodiversity, like better soil health, water quality, and resilience to climate change, aiding farming sustainability.

Concerns were raised about the potential Abingdon Reservoir's impact on water extraction and its damage to biodiversity in water habitats, noting that Thames Water already extracts too much. Rather than building the reservoir, recycling water in London, and other large modern cities, and fixing leaks were suggested as more sustainable solutions.

Members asked about the biodiversity impact of the Botley solar farm project. The LNRS team had discussed this project and was aware of the ecological surveys. The project aimed for significant biodiversity net gain, especially along the Evenlode corridor, aligning with some LNRS priorities. However, concerns remained about the long-term sustainability of these benefits, as the solar farm's operation period exceeded the typical biodiversity management duration.

Questions were raised about the integration of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in the LNRS. Areas were identified where floodplain connectivity and habitat improvements could mitigate flood risk. Although specific SUDS locations were not mapped, the LNRS supported urban rain gardens and other drainage systems to increase percolation and reduce surface water flooding. The team coordinated with the flood team to integrate LNRS priorities into the flood risk management strategy, emphasising the benefits of SUDS and natural flood management for reducing flood risk and enhancing biodiversity. The LNRS team was willing to review and include more actions related to SUDS and flood management, ensuring alignment with LNRS goals.

Members discussed turning the LNRS into reality, highlighting the need for senior sponsorship and cross-team collaboration within the Council. Emphasis was placed on strong influence at appropriate levels and ensuring budget support for LNRS priorities. Integrating the LNRS into local planning and capital delivery was crucial for enhancing biodiversity and reducing flooding. The Leader stated that the Future Oxfordshire Partnership would collaborate significantly with district councils to advance the LNRS.

Members questioned how the success of the strategy would be measured and what the key indicators of the LNRS would be. The LNRS team would monitor habitat work locations and report on the actions taking, creating a spatial map of improvements and funding sources. Successes were to be measured by reducing the number of at-risk species and enhancing biodiversity, with particular emphasis on the list of priority species at risk within Oxfordshire. The team would also assess trust and engagement from stakeholders, including landowners and local communities, gathering feedback through events and meetings to ensure the strategy aligned with their needs.

The Committee resolved to AGREE recommendations to Cabinet under the following headings:

• That the Council should seek advice from the Director of Environmental Sustainability at National Highways.  It was suggested that he could be a valuable contact for advancing the LNRS goals related to infrastructure for wildlife movement.

• Make explicit the implications and actions for districts, parishes, and other key partners within an annex to the document.

• Include or align the LNRS strategy with central government's five missions and their outputs.

• Ensure the Council sets an example in biodiversity net gain, particularly in relation to the Thames Path.

• Promote biodiversity in school grounds by working with schools.

• Explore the possibilities of supporting flood defences through biodiversity means, including swales, sustainable drainage systems, and rain gardens.

• Strengthen the explanations of the benefits of biodiversity net gain around physical and mental health.

• Publicise biodiversity successes through press releases, such as otter and beaver numbers.

• Investigate the cost of piling grass cuttings to enhance wildflower growth.

• Ensure alignment of the LNRS with climate finance and natural capital work, including reaching out to relevant experts and integrating with the 100 Together initiative.

• Ensure alignment with the Local Transport Connectivity Plan and the Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy on the nature costs of roads and cars.

• Develop a delivery plan to ensure that teams within the County Council have integrated and adopted the LNRS.

The Committee made the following observations concerning the LNRS report:

• Need for stronger integration with local transport plans and other infrastructure strategies.

• Importance of engaging hesitant farmers through demonstration of benefits by early adopters.

• Consideration for the reintroduction of beavers as a flagship project.