Issue - meetings

The Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager introduced the report and stated that the Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan (BDCCAP) had scored joint 25^th place nationally out of 325 councils and was the highest scoring local authority within Kent. It was recommended that the future annual review of the BDCCAP be undertaken by the Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager in consultation with the Committee Chairman.

The contents of the four appendices attached to the report were outlined. Specific attention was drawn to the importance of providing adequate funding to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, alongside the use of external funding opportunities when possible. A total of five actions had been completed, 57 were ongoing or due to commence shortly, five had been delayed, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and one had stalled.

The proposed actions moving forward included improving the data collection for the Key Performance Indicators as outlined in Appendix 4 to the report.

The Committee expressed support for the national recognition received by the BDCCAP. The importance of the plan’s continued implementation, alongside its review at regular intervals was reiterated due to its wide scope and cross-cutting nature. However, it was felt that the plan’s future oversight should be considered from May 2022, given the Council’s agreed change in governance arrangements.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The progress made towards the delivery of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan, including the identification of Key Performance Indicators and allocation of budget against projects to deliver the agreed actions, be noted:

2.  The changes to the Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan, as outlined in Appendix A to the report, be agreed;

3.  The Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager be given delegated responsibility to review the Action Plan on an annual basis in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee; and

4.  The further financial resources required beyond 2022 to deliver the Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Change ambitions, be noted; and

5.  A revised process for review be set out post May 2022.