Purpose

The
Environment Act 2021 introduced a strengthened 'biodiversity duty'
requiring all public authorities in England to consider what they
can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Public authorities are
required to set out a plan confirming how they will comply with
this duty and the actions they can take. Thereafter, authorities
must set appropriate policies and specific objectives; and then
they must take action. This report sets
out how Epping Forest District Council meets the first requirement
to consider what they can do to conserve and enhance
biodiversity.

Content

(1)       
That the Cabinet acknowledged the Council’s responsibility to
comply with the biodiversity duty as set out in the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 (as amended by
the Environment Act 2021).

 

(2)       
That the Cabinet approved the contents of the Biodiversity Duty -
First Consideration Statement for publication.