Issue - meetings

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) including comments of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    The LNRS be submitted to the Council meeting on 2 July 2025 for approval;

c)    That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to make any final amendments to the draft LNRS and supporting documents prior to its submission to the Council meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council is the ‘responsible authority’ for the development of a LNRS for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and as such has a statutory duty to produce an LNRS. The consultation has informed the content of the LNRS.

The LNRS identifies nature priorities for the area and will support national environmental targets as well as the UK’s international biodiversity commitment.

The LNRS will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework and thus requires approval by Council.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the outcome of public consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and seeking approval for its submission to full Council.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 4’, is filed with these minutes.  Comments from the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which considered a report on 11 June, were circulated separately and are also filed with these minutes.

Mr. Tilbury CC commended the Strategy, which would provide tangible benefits for the area, and thanked everyone who had been involved in its development.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (LNRS) including comments of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    The LNRS  be submitted to the Council meeting on 2 July 2025 for approval;

c)    That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to make any final amendments to the draft LNRS and supporting documents prior to its submission to the Council meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council is the ‘responsible authority’ for the development of a LNRS for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and as such has a statutory duty to produce an LNRS. The consultation has informed the content of the Strategy.

The LNRS identifies nature priorities for the area and will support national environmental targets as well as the UK’s international biodiversity commitment.

The LNRS will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework and thus requires approval by Council.