The Public Facing Environment Panel of Chichester Council met on Monday 22 September 2025 to discuss a range of environmental issues, including the Chalk Stream Resilience Project, the Biodiversity Strategy, the Climate Emergency Action Plan, and the Contaminated Land Strategy. The panel was also scheduled to discuss the revocation of an Air Quality Management Area and an anti-idling report.

Biodiversity Strategy 2026-2036

The panel was scheduled to discuss the Biodiversity Strategy 2026-2036 and consider recommending it to the cabinet for approval and publication. The Biodiversity Strategy report_EnvPanel Sept 25 sets out the council's proposed approach to protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the district over the next decade. The strategy includes:

• Policies, objectives, and actions to meet the Statutory Biodiversity Duty 2025, as detailed in Appendix 1_Policies objectives and actions to meet the Statutory Biodiversity Duty 2025.
• The full BiodiversityStrategy20262036, contained in Appendix 2BiodiversityStrategy2026_2036.

The panel was also scheduled to consider delegating authority to the Director of Planning and the Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy, to make minor factual or editorial changes to the strategy.

Contaminated Land Strategy

The panel was scheduled to discuss the Contaminated Land Strategy and consider recommending to the cabinet that the revised strategy be approved for public consultation. The Contaminated Land Strategy Environment Panel paper 02-09-2025 provides an overview of the strategy, while the full Contaminated Land Strategy 2025 consultation version 03-09-2025 outlines the council's approach to identifying and managing contaminated land in the district.

The panel was also scheduled to consider delegating authority to the Director of Planning and Environment, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy, to consider representations arising from the consultation and approve the adoption of the strategy, with minor amendments if necessary.

Climate Emergency Action Plan Progress Report

The panel was scheduled to review the progress made on implementing the Climate Emergency Action Plan. The 20250829 EP CEAP Progress Report provides an overview of the actions taken and their impact. Supporting documents include:

• 20250922 EP CEAP Annual Progress Report Appendix 1
• 20250922 EP CEAP Progress Report Appendix 2

Chalk Stream Resilience Project

The panel was scheduled to review the first annual progress report on the Chalk Stream Resilience Project and consider endorsing the proposed release of funding for Year 2 of the project. The Chalk Stream Resilience EP Report provides an overview of the project's achievements and challenges. The Chalk Stream Resilience Partnership Annual Review provides further information on the project's activities and outcomes. Chalk streams are a globally rare habitat¹, and the council has previously expressed its commitment to protecting them.

Revocation of the Air Quality Management Area

The panel was scheduled to consider recommending to the cabinet that the Rumbold's Hill, Midhurst Air Quality Management Area ² be formally revoked by Order. The AQMA REPORT Sept 2025 likely provides the rationale for this recommendation.

Anti-Idling Report

The panel was scheduled to debate a motion related to anti-idling measures and determine whether to recommend it to the cabinet for consideration. The Anti idling Draft Environment Panel paper and appendices 1-4 09-2025 and Anti-idling options Appendix 5 likely provide details on the proposed motion and supporting information.