Issue - meetings

Cabinet:

Adopted the draft Doubling Nature Strategy at Appendix A, subject to minor amendments by the Lead Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

This decision was first published on Friday 5 February and so the deadline for call-in is 2pm on Friday 12 February.

Cabinet:

Adopted the draft Doubling Nature Strategy at Appendix A, subject to minor amendments by the Lead Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council introduced the Doubling Nature Strategy, which set out in high-level terms the Council’s approach to doubling nature in South Cambridgeshire; a vision initially agreed by the Council in July 2019. The Leader outlined how the Council would use its widening spheres of influence, on its own estate, through policies and through wider influence in partnerships and communities to achieve more wildlife-rich habitats, increased tree canopy cover and better accessibility to green spaces.

Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and Policy, was pleased to support the strategy, noting how it complemented the work of the Greater Cambridge Planning Service in mapping out opportunities for increasing and enhancing nature, including through the call for green sites as part of the Local Plan process. Councillor Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer, the Deputy Leader of the Council supported the strategy, welcoming the coordination of the various ways in which the Council could improve nature across the district. Councillor Brian Milnes, Lead Cabinet Member for Environment and Licencing, thanked Officers for their work, and noted how the Three Free Trees scheme had helped encourage tree-planting across the district.

Councillor Hazel Smith, Lead Cabinet member for Housing, noted the Tenant Participation Group was being replaced with the Housing Engagement Board and requested that the strategy be updated to reflect this change. The Leader of the Council agreed the strategy would be amended.

Councillor Heather Williams supported the wider project. The Chair of the Council welcomed the strategy.  He made suggestions regarding the amount of colour, and the images used within the report.  The Leader of the Council clarified there was no intention to print copies of the strategy. Councillor Dr. Claire Daunton hoped there would be a wide readership, especially among Parish Councils. The Leader confirmed the report would be widely distributed after publication.

After a further short discussion, the Leader closed the debate and thanked Officers for their work, and Cabinet:

Adopted the draft Doubling Nature Strategy at Appendix A, subject to minor amendments by the Lead Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council.