Issue - meetings

A report on progress during 2019 in implementing the Epsom & Ewell Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2020.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Committee noted progress during 2019 in implementing the Epsom and Ewell Local Biodiversity Plan.

The Committee received a report detailing progress during 2019 in the implementation of the Epsom & Ewell Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2020.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Progress made throughout the last business year 2019-2020. The Committee noted the number of positive actions and activities achieved as a result of the Action Plan during the last year, including the increased input from voluntary groups.

b)           Environmental Stewardship Agreement. The Committee noted that the current 2010-2020 Environmental Stewardship Agreement had provided nearly a quarter of a million pounds in funding for the Borough in the past 10 years, but was due to end in 2020. Officers were working with Natural England and the Forestry Commission to confirm a future Scheme.

c)            Climate Change Action Plan. The Committee noted the strong links between the Borough’s Biodiversity Action Plan and Climate Change Action Plan. The Borough performed very well in terms of tree cover in comparison to other parts of the Country (43% coverage in the Borough’s parks and open spaces in comparison to the national average of 13%). The Committee noted that increased tree planting was not necessarily beneficial to biodiversity as it might not be possible without the destruction of other, more diverse habitats. Increased tree planting would also not significantly improve CO2 absorption and would require the repayment of significant habitat protection grant funding if carried out in some areas of the Borough.

d)           Green corridors and integration of the Biodiversity Action Plan with the Local Plan. The Committee was informed that the Council’s Countryside Management Service worked closely with its Planning Officers. The Biodiversity Action Plan and provision of ‘Green Corridors’ was integrated with the previous Local Plan. Officers would ensure that the link between the two services continued in the future.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Committee noted progress during 2019 in implementing the Epsom and Ewell Local Biodiversity Plan.