Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding.

(i)         That the final Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) be approved for publication, recognising its role as a statutory framework for nature recovery across the county.

(ii)        Cabinet agreed to integrate the LNRS into relevant council policies and decision-making, including planning, land management, climate adaptation, and public health and support the ongoing delivery of the LNRS.

(iii)       Cabinet acknowledged and thanked the contributions from stakeholders, including BCP Council, Natural England, community groups, farmers, landowners and residents, in shaping the strategy through the development and consultation phase.

Reason for the decision

To ensure Dorset Council complies with DEFRA requirements under the Environment Act 2021 by adopting and integrating the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as a statutory framework. This approach supported the reversal of biodiversity decline, strengthen climate resilience, and guide sustainable land use across the county.

The Leader of the Council presented a report on the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The LNRS set out a statutory framework for reversing biodiversity decline and enhancing climate resilience across Dorset.  The report had been co-produced with BCP Council and Natural England. Cabinet was advised that DEFRA and BCP Council had already approved the strategy.

In response to a concern regarding the reference to the use of veterinary medicines and the rationale for reducing their use on farms, the Local Nature Recovery Officer advised that the recommendations within the strategy had originated from some farmers themselves, with the intention of exploring alternative methods to reduce disease occurrences in a more natural way.  The strategy was not designed to instruct farmers on what to do, but rather to support those alternative methods, if that was considered appropriate.

The Leader of the Council reminded Cabinet that the strategy had been shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation, this included representatives of the National Farmers Union.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr C Sutton

Decision

(i)         That the final Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) be approved for publication, recognising its role as a statutory framework for nature recovery across the county.

(ii)        Cabinet agreed to integrate the LNRS into relevant council policies and decision-making, including planning, land management, climate adaptation, and public health and support the ongoing delivery of the LNRS.

(iii)       Cabinet acknowledged and thanked the contributions from stakeholders, including BCP Council, Natural England, community groups, farmers, landowners and residents, in shaping the strategy through the development and consultation phase.

Reason for the decision

To ensure Dorset Council complies with DEFRA requirements under the Environment Act 2021 by adopting and integrating the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as a statutory framework. This approach supported the reversal of biodiversity decline, strengthen climate resilience, and guide sustainable land use across the county.