The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AO”) updates the Committee on a review of biodiversity which was undertaken by the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee in April 2018.

Recommended –

That the Committee considers the progress outlined in the report.

(Danny Jackson – 01274 431230)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AO”) updated the Committee on a review of biodiversity which was undertaken by the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee in April 2018.

The Countryside Service Manager was in attendance and invited by the Chair to present the report. He explained that at its meeting in July 2017 the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved to undertake a review of biodiversity in the Bradford District. An officer presentation to Committee outlining the main issues relating to biodiversity and the Council’s duties in that respect, was followed by an information gathering workshop attended by a range of Council departments and partner organisations. The information gathering session focused on 3 main areas for improvement, (a) examine ways in which the Council can best utilise its own resources, urban and rural to benefit biodiversity; (b) consider areas over which the Council has an influence, such as planning and land development; and, (c) explore awareness –raising and education through schools and with the public.

Following presentation, the Chair invited a question and answer session –

·         In relation to a previous discussion on creating meadows in parks trial, how had this progressed?

o   Information had been sought by the Woodlands Manager that the trial was still ongoing;

·         How positive was engaging with schools?

o   It was occasionally difficult to engage with schools and therefore engagement work was only undertaken on a opportunity basis as opposed to programme based as it was not a factor that could be build in on a regular basis with all schools due to lack of resources;

·         There were concerns of vast acres of space for wildlife was disappearing every year?

o   The Council tried to mitigate areas through the planning process; and,

·         3.1.4 of the report gave information about the importance of conditions for developers but was there a proper channel of communication through to you and the planning team in order to establish when a planning condition was not being adhered to?

o   The Countryside & Rights of Way team was based in the same department as Planning with a close working relationship. All officers concerned had a responsibility to ensure planning conditions were met. This was certainly a big area of work to cover but due to resource issues, the service was doing less than it could do.

In response to selected answers, the Committee made several comments, as follows –

·         It was paramount that schools were more involved as opposed to being overlooked;

·         A report had been released in relation to people and mental health & wellbeing and that getting out in fresh air was a important aspect for mental health;

·         Getting people outside was a piece of work that could be done with New Communities partnership; and,

·         All Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) had been given resourced uplifts and it was a factor to consider whether to get then involved.

Resolved –

(1)       That the report be welcomed and officers be thanked for the work        undertaken in addressing the Scrutiny Review Recommendations.

(2)       This Committee requests that the outcomes from the        Government’s Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation process be    presented to this Committee in 12 months time.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place