Climate Action and Sustainability

To consider adoption of the Biodiversity Action Plan as part of the Council’s Environment and Climate Strategy.

Cabinet considered adoption of the Biodiversity Action Plan as part of the Council’s Environment and Climate Strategy.

Councillor Stimson, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability presented the Plan which had been produced following a thorough consultation. The Plan was the key pillar of the natural environment theme of the Environment and Climate Strategy. It sought to protect and enhance the natural environment, green towns and urban areas and raise awareness. Groups involved in the consultation included The Wilds groups and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and latterly the Rural Forum.

The headline aim of the plan was to provide 30% of land in the borough as a space for nature by 2030. Currently the figure was 23%. There were three key items for action:

·       Better data

·       Stronger partnerships

·       Direct action to improve biodiversity.

It was proposed by Councillor Stimson and seconded by Councillor Rayner.

Councillor Rayner commented that residents appreciated living in such a green and beautiful borough. The Plan would help the council engage better and make the most of opportunities in the borough. As Chairman of the Rural Forum she was grateful that the farming community was listened to.

Cabinet was addressed by Fiona Hewer, trustee of Wild Maidenhead. The Wilds groups welcomed the involvement of farmers and landowners as they were essential to taking the Plan forward. Biodiversity was in sever decline and action was needed to reverse this. The overall target was 30%; half of this would come from the SSSI and the local wildlife sites. As the Plan correctly recorded a lot of these sites were not in favourable conditions for wildlife although they had been designated with favourable status. Therefore more conservation was needed. The land was not owned by the council, but the plan explained that engagement with landowners was important. Fiona Hewer asked what resources had been put in place to ensure improvements to designated sites would be delivered and who in the council was responsible for tracking progress. She also asked which officers and councillors were responsible for the actions where the council was listed as directly responsible for, and for overall reporting and monitoring of all objectives and targets.

The Plan also stated that the land was 7% short of the target; this equated to 1400 hectares. Fiona Hewer asked what the council’s strategy was for identifying those sites and managing wildlife. The Plan stated that lead partners would meet and update actions on an annual basis and meet to review progress every 6months. She asked when the first meeting would take place and who would organise it.

Councillor Stimson responded that the officer environment team had expanded significantly, including four based at the Braywick Nature Reserve. There were five times the resources now. More time could be spent educating young people on the issues and allowed the council to find new sites and to bid more for opportunities. The Climate Partnership was helping to develop new relationships.

It was anticipated that the first meeting would be before summer 2023. Battlemead now have sheep as well as cattle, dramatically increasing biodiversity. She hoped that behaviour would be emulated elsewhere. With the King in residence the organic content of the Great Park had improved.

James Thorpe, Service Lead Sustainability and Climate Infrastructure, explained that responsibility for the actions in the plan sat with his team and in particular the Natural Environment Manager. Councillor Stimson would eb the relevant Lead Member. The Plan included habitat action plans to meet the 30% target. Once data was obtained, a strategy for intervention could be implemented.

Councillor Bhangra thanked both the lead member and the community groups involved.

Councillor Hilton commented that many groups had come together including one in Ascot that was trying to change streams to improve diversity.  Individuals gave up their time to support the projects. He thanked all the Wild groups for their work.

Councillor Johnson acknowledged that it had taken time for the Plan to come before Cabinet, but commented that it was important to get it right. He thanked all those closely involved in the process.

Councillor Price commented that there were two verge wildings in her urban ward. She asked how areas would be prioritised as most residents lived in urban areas in the borough. Councillor Stimson commented that early on there would be a first meeting which would start to look at the priorities. Urban areas were important. One factor would be volunteer availability.

Councillor Brar was invited to speak but was unable to do so due to technical issues.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that

i)               the report be noted; and

ii)             the Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2026 be approved.