Biodiversity Duty on Town & Parish Councils

- The importance of biodiversity and its role in combating climate change.
- What is required of Councils & meeting our duty
- Practical steps and strategies for Councils to get started

1. Duty of conserving biodiversity

2. AGENDA 1. Poll: where are you on journey? 2. What is the new( ish ) Duty? 3. Context: Climate Change, Net Zero and Nature Recovery 4. How do we get started, progress? 5. Support along the way 2

3. Poll: OUR CURRENT STATES

4. Biodiversity Duty on parish & town councils 4 Councils to complete their “first consideration of action” by 1 st Jan 2024 Govt Guidance 17 th May 2023 2021 Environment Act confirmed the 2006 Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act s.40 [2016 Environment (Wales) Act s.6]

5. Context 1 of 3 ENVIRONMENT ACT 2021, s.98-101 The Act set requirements for targets designed to recover the natural world in England across 4 priority areas: Air Quality Biodiversity Water Waste _______________________________________ BNG >10% for planning permissions granted in England from Nov 2023 (with a few exceptions eg home extension) 5

6. Context 2 of 3 NATURE RECOVERY “About building resilient landscapes through natural restoration and nature-based solutions” Hampshire County Council “ Is the activity of helping life on Earth to thrive by repairing human relationships with the rest of the natural world ” Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, Oxford University WHO ? : National Parks, National Landscapes (AONB), County Councils, Borough Councils, Unitary Authorities “lead” at landscape level WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY 6

7. Context 3 of 3 CLIMATE CHANGE / GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS / CARBON NET ZERO What’s the difference? How does Biodiversity link to each of them? How can I find out more? Carbon Literacy Qualification ( eg SLCC) Local Association of NALC ( eg GAPTC training) “Great Collaboration” / Weekly Banter Sessions 7

8. Parish and town councils MUST Consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity Agree policies and specific objectives based on their consideration Act to deliver their policies and achieve their objectives 8

9. Government Guidance May 2023 Parish and town councils are: not obliged to publish a report (though higher councils are) to have completed their first consideration of what action to take for biodiversity by 1st Jan 2024 to agree policies and objectives asap after this to reconsider selected actions within 5 years of first consideration (or more often by choice) 9

10. As a minimum to comply Have BIODIVERSITY as an agenda item for Council Audit what you are already doing Remember blue spaces as well as green spaces Agree what further steps Parish / Town Council should take to conserve and enhance biodiversity in your Parish 10

11. As a minimum to comply Have BIODIVERSITY as an agenda item for Council https://www.bourtononthewater-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/114/2024/05/Biodiversity-Policy-December-2023-APPROVED.pdf Audit what you are already doing: list, note, map, walk around your Parish, gather photos, engage your communities ( eg Scouts, schools, eco-groups, churches) Remember blue spaces as well as green spaces (rivers, pollution, flood mitigation, litter picking etc ). Invite Water company to speak? Agree what further steps to take to conserve and enhance biodiversity in your Parish 11

12. Ideas to enhance your council’s actions Reach out to higher level councils and bodies: their plans will be searchable online identify the key officer is there a cabinet lead Councillor ? are you in a protected landscape? 2. What biodiversity or nature recovery plans are already in place that cover your parish, that you can join in with? Wildlife corridors, dark skies, pollution demonstrate zero respect for Parish boundaries! Extend a warm hand of friendship to neighbouring Parishes and share the effort 12

13. Ideas to enhance your council’s actions Contact local voluntary groups or individuals working on nature conservation projects Conduct a biodiversity audit Review your contracts, procurement activities and methods Review your Council’s investment policy Playgrounds, Cemeteries, Allotments, LED lighting, Community Orchards, Each Council Committee might consider its biodiversity gain eg planning, highways, parish environment, allotments, youth and wellbeing, community centre 13

14. Model Biodiversity policies SLCC NALC and local CALCs Other parish and town Councils 14

15. WORKING COLLECTIVELY AS A SECTOR Support along the way 15 The Great Collaboration Weekly banter sessions Register to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcu2urjMvGdJH09t0GQ72fBJSFr9zzIDj Check out Biodiversity Part 1

16. Final tips & takeaways Not alone All on a continuum of progress Have fun, feel good 16

17. Thank you Amanda Davis​​ 07881 371187 [email protected]​ [email protected]