Purpose

To
review the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy prior to release
for public consultation

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 
1.1        
That, Cabinet accepted the recommendation (Option
B) to approve the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy, without
changes, prior to public consultation.

 
1.2        
That, Cabinet noted it will have further
opportunities throughout the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
development and consultation stages, to make recommended changes to
the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
The
creation and approval of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy will
demonstrate the council’s commitment to long-term
environmental sustainability whilst aligning with national goals
and legislation.
 
The
Local Nature Recovery Strategy will help to create and / or improve
habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and
the wider environment. It will also identify where action to
achieve biodiversity net gain will have the most impact and
encourage action in these locations through the way net gain is
calculated.
 
Officers have contributed collaboratively across Suffolk and
Norfolk to formulate the draft LNRS and opportunity for public
consultation and then a second stage supporting authorities’
consultation, both before the final publication, exists.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
 
Three options have
been considered by officers in the development of this report:
 
·        
Option A - the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy is not
approved. Through its current plan and prior commitment to
recognising the biodiversity emergency being faced, the option to
not approve the draft LNRS has not been considered.
 
·        
Option B - the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy is approved
without changes (using the template provided by Suffolk County
Council at Appendix B). This is officers recommended option due to
time constraints as the supporting authority’s consultation
response is required on the day of the cabinet meeting i.e. 11
February 2025. Furthermore, the draft LNRS has been developed in
collaboration with officers across Suffolk and Norfolk, and there
will be opportunity to amend and contribute to the draft from the
two stages of consultation yet to come.
 
·        
Option C – the draft LNRS is approved, subject to recommended
changes. Note this will cause some unnecessary delay to the LNRS
timeline, given, there are other opportunities to respond later in
the process.
 
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None