Purpose

Proposed decision
–That the Cabinet Member for Environment,
subject to endorsement from the supporting authorities, approve and
adopt the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy on behalf
of KCC,  and agree to undertake the
required implementation and delivery oversight function post
publication.
 
Reason for the
decision
 
-     
Local Nature Recovery Strategies have been created under the 2021
Environment Act and are a system of spatial strategies for nature
and environmental improvement that will underpin England’s
Nature Recovery Network.   In 2023, Kent County Council
was appointed the Responsible Authority for the development of the
Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy and have been
collaboratively developing the strategy for Kent and Medway.
 
Background –
Provide brief additional context
 
-     
The Environment Act 2021 resulted from the urgent
need to respond to the crisis facing our natural environment as the
UK is currently classified as one of the world's most
nature-depleted countries.
 
-     
Recognising that any recovery of nature would need targeted,
co-ordinated and collaborative action at the local level, the
Environment Act set out the development of Local Nature Recovery
Strategies.  These were seen as a
critical new tool for driving the national ambition to increase
species abundance and reduce risk of species extinctions.
 
-     
Following appointment as the Responsible Authority, Kent County
Council commenced work in October 2023 to develop the strategy,
including stakeholder engagement and public consultation. A redraft
has been completed following the outcome of these sessions and
consultation.
 
-     
Following publication the responsible authority role focuses on
supporting the implementation and delivery of the strategy,
monitoring its progress and reviewing / republishing the strategy
as necessary. The associated delivery plan will be created and
owned by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board with oversight by
KCC in its role as responsible authority.  
 
Options (other
options considered but discarded)

 
-     
Option 1: Publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and
support the implementation and delivery of the strategy and
monitoring of its progress.
-     
Option 2: Do not publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, or
support implementation and delivery of the strategy. This is not an
option as this is a legally required document. Kent County Council
were also provided funding for the preparation of the strategy and
hence to not publish would mean re-payment of the grant.
 
How the proposed
decision supports the
Framing Kent's Future - Our
Council Strategy 2022-2026
 
-     
The proposed decision supports priority 3 in Framing
Kent’s Future, one of the actions detailed in the Council
Strategy is: Lead the development of a Local Nature Recovery
Strategy for Kent and Medway, which will identify priorities for
the restoration of biodiversity, map existing valuable areas of
nature and make specific proposals to create or improve habitat and
wider environmental goals.
-     
 
How the proposed
decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026:

Securing Kents Future - Budget
Recovery Strategy.pdf
 
-     
Kent County Council will not face any financial burden for delivery
of the actions in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The
preparation and implementation support is funded by the Department
for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
 
-     
It is understood that national funding, grants and investment will
be used to incentivise delivery of the strategy.  This may result in resourcing opportunities to
deliver against our own corporate objectives including Plan Tree,
Plan Bee and Plan Sea (in development). 
Once the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is published, we will
undertake a review of our pollinator action plan and tree strategy
to ensure they align. 
 
 

Decision

As Cabinet Member for (the Kent) Environment,
I agree to:
 
APPROVE and ADOPT the Kent and Medway Local
Nature Recovery Strategy, developed by Kent County Council as the
Responsible Authority under the Environment Act 2021, subject to
the formal endorsement by relevant supporting authorities
 
DELEGATE authority to the Director for
Environment and Circular Economy in conjunction with the Kent and
Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board to publish the strategy
and take any necessary actions to support its implementation and
associated monitoring functions.
 
DELEGATE authority to the Director for
Environment and Circular Economy in conjunction with the Kent and
Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board in consultation with
the Cabinet member for Environment to make non-substantive
revisions or updates to the strategy as appropriate during its
lifetime
 
DELEGATE authority to the Director for
Environment and Circular Economy to take relevant actions,
including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering
into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to
implement the decision