Issue - meetings

1.      That the Winchester District Nature Improvement Plan 2025-2030 technical document be adopted.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy and Community to create and publish a resident and partner facing executive summary setting out the nature improvement priorities and key areas of delivery.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which set out the council’s proposals to first halt the decline in nature and then take measures to reverse it and emphasised that the whole council was responsibility for action on nature recovery.  A public facing document would be prepared setting out the council’s priorities and how they would be delivered. 

Cabinet also received a brief presentation from the Principal Ecologist/Biodiversity Officer on the five pathways outlined in the plan.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Lee addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lee welcomed the adoption of the Nature Improvement Plan but criticised the delay since the Nature Emergency declaration. He asked that the plan's principles be urgently embedded across all council functions with a clear implementation programme, including a proposed "nature literacy programme" for staff. He queried expectations for increased partner activity and emphasised the importance of framing the media launch appropriately to increase public understanding and engagement.

Councillor Learney responded to the comments made above.  In addition, she responded to questions from Cabinet Members, together with the Principal Ecologist/Biodiversity Officer and the Service Lead - Sustainability and Natural Environment.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.                 That the Winchester District Nature Improvement Plan 2025-2030 technical document be adopted.

2.                 That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy and Community to create and publish a resident and partner facing executive summary setting out the nature improvement priorities and key areas of delivery.