The minutes of the Broadland District Main Council meeting held on 15 December 2022 are now viewable online.
Here is the text of a question asked together with the responses:
1. Question from Cllr Laming
UK biodiversity is in decline and a spotlight will be on the subject during the COP15 event in Canada from 7-19 December 2022. Has Broadland District Council ever commissioned a report on the state of biodiversity in Broadland, and does it plan to do so in the near future?
Response from the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Excellence
The Council had previously engaged with Natural England, the Environment Agency, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership in the preparation of Local Plans. As a part of this process the Council had also prepared sustainability appraisals, incorporating strategic environmental assessments, and habitat regulations assessments. Both the engagement with these environmental bodies and the preparation of the aforementioned reports have informed the Council's Local Plan policies and Green Infrastructure strategies.
In addition to this, work was currently underway to update the Greater Norwich Growth Board Green Infrastructure Strategies. It was agreed, as part of this work, that there would be the need to conduct a biodiversity baseline study across the partnership area. This work was currently in the process of being scoped out with the view to go out to tender in the New Year.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Laming
An online search for “Biodiversity in Broadland, Norfolk” returned a reference to the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership which she believed involved some 20 different organisations including Broadland District Council. It appeared the partnership had been established in 1996 but the latest news post was dated 2019. Is the Partnership still in place and, if not, why not?
Response from Portfolio Holder for Environmental Excellence
The Portfolio Holder stated that to provide a comprehensive reply, she would do this by way of a written response after the meeting.
Response Later Received
The new Local Nature Recovery Partnership (LNRP), which Broadland District Council officers are actively engaged with, will deliver on a high-level set of priorities including the process of developing a Local Nature Recovery strategy and mapping project. The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership remains active and, in tandem with the overarching aims of the LNRP, will deliver locally focussed community work.
