Decision details

Approval of Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval of the Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029 for publication

Decision:

That the Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 2024-2029 and supporting summary document is approved.

Reasons for the decision:

1.     The BAP forms part of the statutory duty for all public authorities to consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

 

2.     The recent Bracknell Forest Council declaration of a climate and biodiversity

emergency reinforces the importance of action for biodiversity across the borough. The motion includes an item to “Revise the Biodiversity Action Plan to include audits of the state of nature in the borough and to highlight local biodiversity threats due to climate change” which has been taken into consideration in the revised plan.

 

3.     The Bracknell Forest BAP demonstrates the commitment of the Council and local people to protecting and enhancing nature in the borough.

 

4.     The plan for 2024-2029 builds upon the previous Biodiversity Action Plans. It is a partnership plan, having been co-produced with input from key stakeholders, including the Bracknell Forest Nature Partnership.

 

5.     A draft plan was approved for consultation by Executive on 23 April 2024. A 4-week public consultation on the draft plan was undertaken to allow the council to gather feedback more widely from anyone who lives in, works in or visits the borough. Feedback has been used to refine and develop the final plan and a more detailed delivery plan.

Alternative options considered:

The alternative option is to rely entirely on external polices and strategies to help guide and shape the future support for our local biodiversity. This approach would not focus specifically on the needs of Bracknell Forest’s wildlife and residents. It may reduce the opportunities to achieve the council’s objectives.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

No

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Financial Impact: There will be no direct financial implications as the BAP is a strategy for guiding work for biodiversity across the borough. There may be financial implications of delivering the targets. This will be explored over the plan period as projects are worked up and agreed.

Declarations: None

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: Place

Other reasons / organisations consulted

The draft plan was co-produced with key internal and external stakeholders. The Biodiversity Officer liaised with key stakeholders via workshops and one-to-one discussions to gather feedback on the previous BAP and ideas for the BAP 2024-2029. These were used to develop the draft document. The draft document went to a full 4-week public consultation to gather wider views. There were 45 responses to the online consultation, with one additional set of feedback received directly by email. This feedback has been used to refine the plan for final sign off.

Consultees

Consultees involved with the co-production of the draft:
Workshop attendees: Crowthorne Village Action Group, Binfield Environment Group, Binfield Parish Council, Warfield Environment Group, Easthampstead Living Churchyard Group, Bracknell Forest Natural History Society, Priestwood Environment Group, Crowthorne Parish Council, Bracknell Forest Council - Ranger Service, Bracknell Conservation Volunteers, Wildlife in Ascot, Sandhurst Town Council, Involve, Moor Green Lakes, Crown Estate, Thames21 (Maidenhead to Teddington Catchment Partnership host), TVERC, Bracknell Forest Council – Climate Change Officer, Natural England
Feedback received outside of workshop from: Warfield Environment Group, Environment Agency, Hedge and Woodland Conservationists, Natural England (Thames Basin Heath Partnership)
Internal feedback on initial draft received from: Rangers, Climate Change Officers, Planning Policy, Tree Officers

Consultees through public consultation:
There were 45 responses to the online consultation, with one additional set of feedback received directly by email. Paper copies of the documents and consultation questions were provided at Bracknell, Crowthorne and Sandhurst libraries. No responses were received through the paper copies. Of the 45 responses received via the consultation portal, 13 are members of an organisation such as a wildlife conservation group and 4 of these are members of the Bracknell Forest Nature Partnership. Responses were received from people living in every town/parish within Bracknell Forest, with the majority living in Bracknell. 5 responses were received from people who live outside Bracknell Forest.

Contact: Rosie Lear, Biodiversity Officer Email: rosie.lear@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Report author: Rosie Lear

Publication date: 17/09/2024

Date of decision: 17/09/2024

Decided at meeting: 17/09/2024 - Executive

Effective from: 26/09/2024

Accompanying Documents: