The Natural Environment Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, 30 April 2026, was set to discuss the Board's constitution and terms of reference, alongside updates on biodiversity and risk management. The meeting's agenda also included the appointment of a new Chair and Deputy Chair, as well as the reappointment of a non-voting external representative.

Constitution and Terms of Reference

The Board was scheduled to receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 23 April 2026 for information. This would have provided details on the Board's constitution, which includes elected members from the Court of Common Council, ex-officio members, and external representatives. The terms of reference, which outline the Board's responsibilities for overseeing strategies, approving grants, and managing City gardens, churchyards, and open spaces, were also to be reviewed.

Appointments and Elections

The meeting was scheduled to include the election of a Chair and Deputy Chair for the Board, in accordance with the relevant Standing Orders. Additionally, the Board was invited to appoint a representative to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee. A report from the Town Clerk was also to be considered regarding the appointment of a non-voting external representative to the Natural Environment Board. The report recommended the reappointment of Tony Leach for a further three-year term, ending in 2029.

Updates and Reports

A progress update on the Youth Natural Environment Board was scheduled to be received from Simon Lightman, Co-founder of the organisation. The Board was also set to receive a statutory biodiversity report, prepared by the Executive Director, Environment, detailing the City Corporation's compliance with its biodiversity duty. This report, which fulfils the requirement for local authorities and local planning authorities to publish a Statutory Biodiversity Report, outlines actions taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity, and future plans.

Further updates were scheduled on risk management within the Environment Department, with reports on the Natural Environment Cross-Divisional Risk Register and the City Gardens Risk Register. These reports detail identified risks, their current scores, and the actions being taken to manage them, with a focus on ensuring compliance with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011.

The Board was also to receive an update on City Gardens, with officers from the Environment Department providing a verbal report. Finally, an annual update on the Biodiversity Action Plan was to be presented, outlining progress made since its launch in 2021. This plan details priorities for biodiversity within the Square Mile, including target species and habitats, and four key action plans: Open Spaces and Habitat Management, The Built Environment, Education and Community Engagement, and Data Collection, Surveys and Monitoring. The report indicated that the BAP is approximately 75% complete and will be succeeded by a Local Nature Recovery Action Plan.