Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the principle of continued co-operation on Biodiversity Net Gain through the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund be approved. Whilst it will not be the only option available to developers unable to provide the required minimum 10% biodiversity uplift on-site, GNCF is designed to provide a robust off-site option for retaining developer investment in BNG within the county;

2.    authority is delegated to the Cabinet member for Climate Emergency to sign the MoU on behalf of the authority.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency introduced the report which, she said, spoke for itself, going into great detail on the importance of working with partners across Gloucestershire to make sure biodiversity projects are delivered and funding is spent within the county. She added that it was great to see the climate impact assessment wheel included in the report – it is a great tool – and said in this case the council would continue work to ensure sustainable transport options improve. She commended her report as a strong investment in Cheltenham’s biodiverse future.

The Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory Services welcomed the report, saying scientists acknowledge that the biodiversity crisis is as serious as the climate crisis. He said that the commitment to off-set biodiversity loss  was sometimes a cover, and was a challenge in urban areas, but Gloucestershire counties have agreed to prioritise off-setting in the statement of common ground.  Cheltenham has a strong commitment to achieving biodiversity net gain – an SPD is included in the corporate plan – and taking this report as a starting point to push the agenda, CBC could be recognised as one of the greenest local authorities in the country.  

The Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling and Street Services said CBC is taking steps all the time to increase biodiversity, with many of the town’s parks keeping areas unmown to encourage biodiversity.  He is also looking to amend the schedule for grass cutting, following No-Mow May, reducing mowing in a careful way, deliberately designed to increase biodiversity.

The Leader was pleased to see the climate assessment wheel in the report; it applies to every report, and CBC can be proud that it is recognised nationally as good practice and will be rolled out around the country.  She said the Memorandum of Understanding covered several districts and partnerships working closely and across political divides to the benefit of all.  It is good that these significant issues are being faced, and she hoped other parts of the country would follow Gloucestershire’s example.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the principle of continued co-operation on Biodiversity Net Gain through the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund be approved. Whilst it will not be the only option available to developers unable to provide the required minimum 10% biodiversity uplift on-site, GNCF is designed to provide a robust off-site option for retaining developer investment in BNG within the county;

2.    authority is delegated to the Cabinet member for Climate Emergency to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the authority.