Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 17, 2026

Purpose:

Content: *RESOLVED –   That the Biodiversity Duty Report, attached at Appendix 1 to the officer’s report, and the proposed actions for the forthcoming reporting period, up to 2031, be approved for publication by the statutory submission deadline of 26th March 2026, inclusive of any minor edits to be made at the discretion of the Strategic Planning and Key Sites Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Environment.   REASONS FOR DECISION   1.   The council has a general duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity under the Environment Act (2021). To comply with this general duty, councils must consider the potential actions they can take to further this objective and report on the policies, objectives and actions taken every five years, with the first report due from 1st January 2026.   2.   The Biodiversity Duty Report (Appendix 1 to the officer’s report) provides information on actions carried out by the council to conserve and enhance biodiversity during the first reporting period (2024-2026) and sets out relevant actions to be undertaken to meet the duty over the course of the next reporting period (up to 1st January 2031).