The Executive approved the adoption of the High Peak Plan for Nature, the second quarter financial, procurement and performance report, the Domestic Abuse policy, and an updated draft of the Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29.

High Peak Plan for Nature

The Executive discussed a report that recommended the adoption of the High Peak Plan for Nature. This report provides an overview of the current state of nature in High Peak and recommends how the council should work towards improving biodiversity in the area.

The report identifies the legal obligation placed on councils under the Environment Act 2021 to conserve and enhance biodiversity. It sets out how this legal duty is further supported through local planning policy in the National Planning Policy Framework which requires Local Plans to have an understanding of the extent of existing nature recovery networks and how these can be enhanced through plan making.

The serious decline in nature has been highlighted in recent years, with many habitats lost and remaining habitats in increasingly poor condition, threatening various species with extinction.

The report discusses the importance of green infrastructure as a means of increasing biodiversity in urban areas and the various challenges and considerations associated with the recently introduced Biodiversity Net Gain requirement. It highlights the opportunities presented by Environmental Land Management schemes as well as other green finance initiatives, including the Woodland Carbon Code and the Peatland Code.

The report contains a feasibility assessment of 15 council-owned sites across the borough, to evaluate their suitability for use as a habitat bank. Of the 15 sites, those considered most suitable were Hogshaw Recreation Ground, Temple Fields, Granby Road in Buxton, and land off Woolley Bridge Road in Hadfield.

The report also identified the need for the council to pick a 'focus species' as a means of targeting efforts and raising awareness, in which they recommended the Eurasian otter. A number of sites were highlighted for river restoration opportunities, including land adjoining Glossop Brook, Manor Park in Glossop, land adjoining the River Sett, Memorial Park in Whaley Bridge and Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.

The Executive adopted the High Peak Plan for Nature, approved a governance structure for its delivery and noted an update on progress to date.

Second Quarter Financial, Procurement & Performance Report

The Executive received a report that summarises the council’s performance and financial position up to the end of September 2024.

The position can be summarised as follows:

Finance The General Fund outturn for 2024/25 is projected to be £271,890 underspent, and the Housing Revenue Account is predicted to be in deficit (against budget) by £71,610.

Procurement 29 procurement activities were completed, and the procurement forward plan includes 83 procurement activities for completion/start in 2024/25. 95.83% of procurement activity undertaken to 30 September 2024 was on the forward plan.

Performance 67% of the key performance indicators are on track, with 65% performing better than at this point in the previous year.

The report provides further detail on contract pressures, including:

• An expected increase of £89,000 to cover the Alliance Environmental Services Ltd (AES) pay award, with an anticipated pay award increase greater than that initially budgeted for.
• Fuel costs are anticipated to be £56,000 lower, based on a reduction in cost per litre compared to the budget forecast.
• An increase in costs of £39,000 is anticipated to cover vehicle parts inflation.
• A rebate of £220,000 is anticipated from improved recycling income, with this figure subject to change due to volatile market conditions.

The Executive approved the write-offs for the period and noted the contents of the report.

Draft Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29

The Executive received a report that presented an updated draft of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2025/26 to 2028/29, which sets out the council's anticipated financial position. The draft MTFP remains unbalanced and awaits the outcome of the Local Government Finance Settlement expected late December 2024.

The report discusses the council's strategic priorities, including a focus on the transformation programme, the capital programme and the efficiency programme. It sets out the latest financial forecasts, including for interest rates and inflation.

The MTFP includes a proposed increase of 2% in council tax revenue. There is also an assumed increase in income from fees and charges from either inflation, increased charges or increased demand.

The plan anticipates a deficit of £887,380 in the general fund and £118,340 in the Housing Revenue Account in 2025/26. The Executive approved the draft MTFP.

Domestic Abuse Policy

The Executive discussed a report that sought approval of a new Domestic Abuse Policy. The report highlighted the legal obligation placed on social housing providers to have a policy on domestic abuse, as set out in the ‘Neighbourhood and Community Standard’ of the new Consumer Standards introduced in the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

Registered providers should understand the significant impact that domestic abuse can have both on tenants experiencing it and their household members. In achieving this outcome registered providers should have a victim-centred approach to assisting tenants who experience domestic abuse.

The policy details the support offered to survivors of domestic abuse, the support and services available and the action the council will take against perpetrators. It also includes guidance on training for staff, confidentiality and data protection, risk assessment using the CAADA DASH tool and the council's responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including:

• Providing automatic priority need status to those fleeing domestic abuse and approaching the council as homeless.
• Granting new secure lifetime tenancies to social tenants leaving existing secure lifetime tenancies because of domestic abuse.

The Executive approved the Domestic Abuse Policy.