Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment who updated the Cabinet on the work she had been doing. This included work around land, nature recovery and biodiversity. The Council had a new responsibility under the Environment Act to lead on developing a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This work involved establishing priorities for nature and mapping these across the county through a collaborative and evidence-based process over the next 12 months. An important aspect of this was stakeholder engagement and engaging more broadly with the whole community. It was recognised that the county council was just the custodian in this work and it was residents who would help with nature recovery. It was explained that the property team at the Council led on the partnership purchase of Tice meadow, a former quarry site which had been made into a nature park. The Meadow had been embraced by residents and community groups had been leading on nature recovery here. The River Thames Scheme which would help reduce the risk of flooding would also support nature recovery by creating more green spaces. Recently a mayfly which was thought to be near extinction and had not been seen for nearly 50 years had been found by the River Thames site. 

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment explained that he had visited several nature reserves in the county and recognised the fundamental role these places played in supporting people in adult social services especially with employment and health. The Deputy Cabinet Member had also visited Norbury Sawmill and praised the work being done to support young people. The Deputy Cabinet Member was also working with the communications team to encourage people to visit the countryside. The Council's Green Champions Network had shown great leadership and had cleared 2.5 tonnes of floating pennywort at the Basingstoke Canal which the Deputy Cabinet Member had also supported. Cabinet Members commended the report and recognised the excellent work being undertaken to support biodiversity and the contribution of volunteers in this sphere of work.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.