Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

Councillor S J Rice declared a personal interest in Minute No.16 – ‘Delivering on Nature Recovery & Climate Change’ Status Report.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

Councillor S J Rice declared a personal interest in Minute No.16 – ‘Delivering on Nature Recovery & Climate Change’ Status Report.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Climate Change Corporate Delivery Committee held on 20 July 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Approved.

Paul Meller, Natural Environment Manager presented a report which further updated the Committee on progress with regard to the proposed new corporate well-being objective – ‘Delivering on Nature Recovery & Climate Change’ which was agreed by Council on 7 July 2022. The report which focused on Nature Recovery, followed on from the report and presentation to the first meeting of the Committee on 20 July 2022, which updated on Climate Change. 

Christina Derrick, Local Nature Partnership (LNP) Co-ordinator provided a detailed update on the Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (LNRAP). It was explained that LNRAP is a non-statutory partnership plan which is being produced by the Swansea Nature Partnership, of which the City & Council of Swansea is a host and lead partner and would update and replace the existing Local Biodiversity Action Plan published in 2005. The Plan would contribute towards the six national objectives of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales.

A first draft of some of the main sections of the plan was sent out to the Partnership for review in July 2022, Appendix B provided further context and partner organisations were being engaged via workshops.  The aim was for a final version to be ready within the next 6-12 months.

Mark Barber, Biodiversity Officer / Local Nature Partnership (LNP) Co-ordinator reported on the Biodiversity / Section 6 Plan.  It was outlined that as required under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Biodiversity Duty, in December 2019 the Council published and submitted to Welsh Government its first Section 6 Monitoring Report outlining actions it had taken to maintain and enhance biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems over the past 3 years (2016-2019).  The next monitoring report, covering the period from January 2020 – December 2022, was currently being prepared and would be submitted to Welsh Government in January 2023.

It was added that a Section 6 Action Plan was being prepared outlining actions that the Council would undertake to benefit nature recovery over the next 3 years. The Section 6 Biodiversity Action Plan provides the Council’s contribution to the overarching Local Nature Recovery Action Plan and would follow a similar format responding to the six key objectives of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales.

A questionnaire had been sent to all Council Heads of Service to gather information for both the Monitoring Report and the Action Plan and a series of awareness raising presentations and workshops were also being planned.  The work was being led by the Council’s Section 6 Officer.

Penny Gruffydd, Sustainable Policy Officer provided a detailed update on the Countywide Green Infrastructure Strategy.  She explained that following the adoption of the City Centre Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy in February 2021 and the subsequent development of an Action Plan, which was provided at Appendix C, a Countywide GI Strategy was now under preparation.

It was added that the non-statutory strategy sought to inform decisions on GI and increase resilience to climate change as well as contributing to nature recovery.  The engagement process was due to recommence with a series of workshops with key stakeholder groups and face to face conversations with members of the community, which were planned for the autumn. The work was being led by the Nature Conservation Team and was a joint project with Natural Resources Wales.  A draft version of the strategy was due for consultation by the end of March 2023.

The Committee discussed the following: -

·       Management and collection of data by the Authority and partner organisations.

·       Progress with methods of cutting and collecting grass.

·       City Centre Strategy 2021 / Countywide Green Infrastructure Strategy.

·       Three themes of engagement.

·       Ensuring all areas are connected.

·       The inclusion of neighbouring local authorities in progress, particularly in areas containing county boundary lines.

·       The positivity of the involvement of the private sector in the process.

·       The importance of effective engagement.

·       Funding going forward.

·       Proposed forward plan for delivery.

Councillor David Hopkins, Deputy Leader of the Council praised the excellent developments and change being introduced.  He highlighted the involvement of partner organisations and praised the excellent work of Officers in progressing matters.

Resolved that the proposed forward plan of activity for Nature Recovery in 2022-23 to align with the steps identified for delivery of the new Corporate Well Being Objective “Delivering on Nature Recovery and Climate Change”, be approved.

For information.

The Climate Change Corporate Delivery Committee Work Plan 2022-2023 was provided ‘for information’.

The Chair noted that Waste Strategy would be discussed at the next scheduled meeting on 21 November 2022.