Decision details

The report addresses requirements of the Environment Act 2021 relating to the council’s LNRS Supporting Authority role and seeks delegated authority to approve and respond on any pre-consultation draft of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy within 28 days, as required, and to consider the pre-publication draft strategy, also within 28 days.

(Key decision):

(1) To note and welcome the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategies, under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Lead member, to:

a) Approve and submit a response to the Responsible Authority, ESCC, on any pre-consultation draft of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy within 28 days as required by the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

b) Consider the pre-publication draft of any Local Nature Recovery Strategy and, if the Chief Executive considers that the draft strategy cannot be justified based on the results of the consultation or that it is materially deficient, to submit a publication advisory notice to the Responsible Authority within 28 days, as set out in regulation 15 of The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023.