Agenda and draft minutes

24 October 2023

It was moved by Councillor Stuart Lees, Seconded by Councillor Peter Slack and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting of the Biodiversity Sub-Committee held on 24 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

In accordance with the procedure for public participation, Mr Mike Walton (Local Resident) commented on biodiversity in the Dales and on Morledge specifically.  Mr Walton informed the members he had had a very helpful meeting with the Director of Community and Environmental Services and the Clean & Green Manager and was happy with the outcome.

The Clean and Clean Manager thanked Mr Walton and suggested to him if there are Community groups who would like to get involved in wild flower planting they should get in touch with the District Council and discussions can take place on the areas and provisions.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, their partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

Item 5 - Biodiversity Action Plan:

Councillor Matthew Buckler declared a pecuniary interest in Item 5 due to his role with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Councillor Peter Slack declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 due to being a member of Wilder Wirksworth.

Councillor Martin Burfoot declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 due to being a Member of Matlock in Bloom.

Councillor John Bointon declared a pecuniary interest in Item 5 and 8 due to having a contract to cut verges and pathways for Doveridge Parish Council.

The Clean & Green Manager gave an update on the management of council owned land and the verges project and informed members they were working with the Consultants on the development of the plan and opportunities to merge with the wider plan.

The Technical team have created a Biodiversity sites map, this will hopefully go on the website and be made interactive, working towards including existing areas too. 

Feedback from Biodiversity actions taken already:

79 sites were left and cut once against 46 last year.

12 sites – sown, that can be watched and cut at the end of the season.

1 site (ARC) had a mid-year cut and an end of season cut.

Bee Kind Embrace Nature signs were put on sites.

Border cut on verges.

At least one survey.

7 locations where orchids are growing.

3 locations have the rare bee orchid growing: Derwent Way at Matlock, Calver Crossroads and B6001 Hassop Road, Calver.

124 different wildflower species now growing.

The border cut has made the verges look more managed and gives an area where signs can be placed, this year when the team tried to mow the verges for the first time, they were too wet.

The District Council will try to grow the Active Community Groups volunteers as this will be very helpful in spreading the word and look at what package would be needed.

Wye Valley Project / Pathfinders is a very positive project, the District Council has joined as have all districts within the County.

As part of the Pathfinder project last year, we cut and collated 48.2 tonnes of green waste from 34104 square meters.

The vehicles travelled an additional 2412 miles removing the green waste from sites across the district back to our Northwood depot for processing.

Lucy Sumner and Bob Edmonds from SLR Consulting to attend to present an update on progress so far on development of the plan.

Lucy Sumner, Senior Ecologist and Helen Millar, Assisting Ecologist from SLR Consulting presented an update on the progress so far on the development of the plan for the biodiversity duty 2024 – 27 the broad themes are:

Council Workstreams

Flooding

Agriculture

Development and Biodiversity Net Gain

Nature and People

Green Ventures

During debate Councillor Buckler asked for the name to be changed from Biodiversity Action Plan to ‘Nature Development Plan’ all members agreed to this.

The District Councils main role will be to lead and support, making contact where there are existing groups exist and suggesting they have a council representative on group and find out what level of work is required.

Members agreed that across many of these themes the District Councils main role will be to support existing partnerships.

The Director of Community and Environmental Services suggested that the actions were prioritised. SLR agreed to produce a summary table and colour code the actions required and list the impact.

It was agreed to ask the Community Development Officer to give an update on the work of Community Groups in the district at the next Biodiversity Sub-Committee meeting.

LNRS are a new system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement across England that will establish priorities and map proposals to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits.

DCC are the ‘responsible authority’ appointed by the government to lead on work to prepare and publish a LNRS for Derbyshire. The LNRS will provide the process for nature recovery in Derbyshire. It will set a long-term vision and action plan that is formed and delivered in collaboration with partners, stakeholders and the public.

The Climate Change Officer updated members on the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) which will provide the process for nature recovery in Derbyshire lead by DCC as the responsible authority appointed by the government.  A long-term vision and action plan will be formed and delivered in collaboration with partners, stakeholders and the public.

The Climate Change Officer gave an update on the Derbyshire Dale Swift Conservation Project which was approved at Council in December 2023.  The Derbyshire Swift Conservation Project has been set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and applied for National Lottery Heritage funding which is proceeding well.