Issue - meetings

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

That the Dorset Council’s Biodiversity Duty Report 2023–25 be endorsed and its publication and subsequent submission to Defra, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To ensure that Dorset Council met its statutory requirement to prepare, approve and publish a Biodiversity Duty Report for the 2023–25 period and for it to be submitted to Defra by the required deadline.

The Leader of the Council, Climate, Performance and Safeguarding advised that the Environment Act 2021 required public authorities to consider, conserve, and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of their functions.

The report outlined the strategic objectives, current activity, and future ambitions aligned with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and highlighted the legal, environmental, and reputational implications of non-compliance.

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

Decision

That the Dorset Council’s Biodiversity Duty Report 2023–25 be endorsed and its publication and subsequent submission to Defra, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To ensure that Dorset Council met its statutory requirement to prepare, approve and publish a Biodiversity Duty Report for the 2023–25 period and for it to be submitted to Defra by the required deadline.