Issue - meetings

A report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods which seeks approval to publish the Biodiversity Duty Report (2026) in line with section 40A of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

The Cabinet received a joint report prepared by the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Environment that requested approval to publish the Biodiversity Duty Report (2026), in line with section 40A of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

In considering the report the Cabinet were advised that the report has previously been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, at its most recent meeting on 19^th March 2026. The Scrutiny Board had endorsed the report’s recommendations and recommended that this meeting of Cabinet approve the report.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 the preferred Option) - to give approval to publishing the Biodiversity Duty Report on the Council’s website. The advantage of this option was that the Council would fulfil its legal duty, as set out in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. There were no reported disadvantages to this option.

Option 2 - to not give approval to publishing the Biodiversity Duty Report on the Council’s website. There were no reported advantages to this option. The Council would, therefore, fail to meet the legal duty set out in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 to publish a report during the time specified.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet grants approval for the publication of the Biodiversity Duty Report (2026) on the Council’s website.

2.    That the Cabinet notes that, as this report has previously been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, on 19^th March 2026, it is exempt from the Council’s call-in process.

To scrutinise proposals to publish the Biodiversity Duty Report (2026) in line with section 40A of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.