Issue - meetings

To consider a report from the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(a)           That Dorset Council enters into a funding agreement above £500,000 (£895,034) with Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) to deliver 12.5 hectares of strategic Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) for heathland mitigation.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning to enter into a contract funding agreement for DWT to deliver the Wild Woodbury SANG should be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning on terms to be recommended by the Executive Director of Place.

Reason for the decision

Cabinet was required to consider all key decisions with financial consequences of £500,000 or more. The project formed part of the Heathland Interim Mitigation Strategy for the emerging Purbeck Local Plan which was currently undergoing an examination into its soundness.

The project had been considered and approved by the Heathland Mitigation Steering Group which includes representatives from Natural England.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Planning, the Deputy Leader set out the report and proposed the recommendation. The report sought a decision for grant funding £895,034.98 to Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) of heathland mitigation funds collected via the Community Infrastructure Levy to allow delivery of the SANG.

In seconding the proposal, Cllr R Bryan advised that letters had been forwarded to the central government in respect of the continuing damage to the heathland by wildfires, in relation to portable bar-b-ques. He was asking ministers to consider legislation in order to protect the natural environment.

Decision

(a)                    That Dorset Council enters into a funding agreement above £500,000 (£895,034) with Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) to deliver 12.5 hectares of strategic Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) for heathland mitigation.

(b)                    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning to enter into a contract funding agreement for DWT to deliver the Wild Woodbury SANG should be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning on terms to be recommended by the Executive Director of Place.

Reason for the decision

Cabinet was required to consider all key decisions with financial consequences of £500,000 or more. The project formed part of the Heathland Interim Mitigation Strategy for the emerging Purbeck Local Plan which was currently undergoing an examination into its soundness.

The project had been considered and approved by the Heathland Mitigation Steering Group which includes representatives from Natural England.