Issue - meetings

To note the report from the Head of Democratic Services outlining the findings and recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Nature Recovery undertaking by Members from Improving Places Select Commission which was presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 13 March 2024.

The Chair proceeded with the Scrutiny Review Recommendation conducted on Nature Recovery. The Commission considered a range of activity including response to climate change, and the aligned causes of the nature crisis. This extensive piece of work began in March last year and concluded towards the end of the previous calendar year. It involved various external organisations and individual experts, all of whom contributed significantly to the review and the Chair expressed his thanks to all of the individuals and partner agencies who contributed to the review. The Chair expressed gratitude to Katherine Harclerode and Caroline Webb, acknowledging their valuable input.

Twelve recommendations were made as a result of the motion to the Council, detailed in the report and appendices. Whilst unusual this review had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board first, this was to ensure it was expedited within this municipal year. The recommendations would now move to the Cabinet for further consideration, with the hope that they provided a solid foundation for future action, supported by external expert organisations.

Resolved: That the Improving Places Select Commission noted the report from the Head of Democratic Services outlining the findings and recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Nature Recovery undertaking by Members from Improving Places Select Commission which was presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 13 March 2024.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services outlining the findings and recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Nature Recovery undertaking by Members from Improving Places Select Commission.

The Chair invited Councillor Adam Tinsley, Vice-Chair of Improving Place Select Commission to introduce the Scrutiny Review Recommendations – Nature Recovery.

The Member outlined that Nature Recovery motion (agreed at the Council Meeting of 25 May 2022) committed the Council to a range of activities, including ensuring its response to tackling climate change was extended to compliment the aligned cause of nature crisis. It also committed the Council to continue its work to enhance biodiversity by adopting innovative approaches to support wild flowered areas and ecological approaches to grounds maintenance.

The review was undertaken by members of the Improving Places Select Commission following its referral from Council. It started its work in March 2023, concluding later in the year.

It was a wide-ranging piece of work which included visits to nature sites, discussions with groups and expert witnesses as well as presentations and discussions with officers to understand the challenges of nature recovery. The review also looked closely at the Environment Act and the enhanced duties for local authorities to conserve and enhance biodiversity and report on their actions. Alongside this, it examined measures to address the impact of climate change and promote and protect biodiversity.

Councillor Tinsley put on record his thanks to everyone who shared their expert testimony. This included Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, members of the Rotherham Local Wildlife Sites Panel, South Yorkshire Police as well as RMBC’s Green Spaces Team, Ecology and Climate Change staff.

He also thanked Katherine Harclerode for her work in supporting this review and wish her well in her future work since she left the Council.

The report detailed its finding in section 2.3 of the report. As part of its evidence gathering, Members were able to establish what action was being taken by the Council, community organisations and partners to achieve targets and uphold duties under the Environment Act 2021, as well as future challenges.

There were 12 recommendations in total which were outlined in the report. These included:

·       That consideration to be given to what resources are required to coordinate the Council’s response to the Environment Act 2021, including the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Enhanced Biodiversity Net Gain, and other statutory reporting.

·       Expanding the Councillor’s role as nature champion

·       How the RMBC ‘estate’ can contribute to the Council’s obligations for the Enhanced Biodiversity Duty

·      Continue the positive work underway including tree planting, meadow management, changes in verge management, community engagement etc

The Chair invited comments and questions from Board Members and the following points were made:

Councillor Browne, who was part of the review group, asked that an additional recommendation be considered. He outlined that the timescales and process for setting up a community wildlife site was difficult. He asked that consideration be given to how the process could be streamlined.

Reference was made to local residents supporting biodiversity in their local area and the hard work to safeguard these “little nuggets”. The additional recommendation was welcomed if it made it easier and more accessible for local communities to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117