URL: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3034

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Environment

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Proposed decision –That the Cabinet Member for Environment, subject to endorsement from the supporting authorities, approve and adopt the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy on behalf of KCC,  and agree to undertake the required implementation and delivery oversight function post publication.   Reason for the decision   -      Local Nature Recovery Strategies have been created under the 2021 Environment Act and are a system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement that will underpin England’s Nature Recovery Network.   In 2023, Kent County Council was appointed the Responsible Authority for the development of the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy and have been collaboratively developing the strategy for Kent and Medway.   Background – Provide brief additional context   -      The Environment Act 2021 resulted from the urgent need to respond to the crisis facing our natural environment as the UK is currently classified as one of the world's most nature-depleted countries.   -      Recognising that any recovery of nature would need targeted, co-ordinated and collaborative action at the local level, the Environment Act set out the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies.  These were seen as a critical new tool for driving the national ambition to increase species abundance and reduce risk of species extinctions.   -      Following appointment as the Responsible Authority, Kent County Council commenced work in October 2023 to develop the strategy, including stakeholder engagement and public consultation. A redraft has been completed following the outcome of these sessions and consultation.   -      Following publication the responsible authority role focuses on supporting the implementation and delivery of the strategy, monitoring its progress and reviewing / republishing the strategy as necessary. The associated delivery plan will be created and owned by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board with oversight by KCC in its role as responsible authority.     Options (other options considered but discarded)   -      Option 1: Publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and support the implementation and delivery of the strategy and monitoring of its progress. -      Option 2: Do not publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, or support implementation and delivery of the strategy. This is not an option as this is a legally required document. Kent County Council were also provided funding for the preparation of the strategy and hence to not publish would mean re-payment of the grant.   How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026   -      The proposed decision supports priority 3 in Framing Kent’s Future, one of the actions detailed in the Council Strategy is: Lead the development of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent and Medway, which will identify priorities for the restoration of biodiversity, map existing valuable areas of nature and make specific proposals to create or improve habitat and wider environmental goals. -        How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   -      Kent County Council will not face any financial burden for delivery of the actions in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The preparation and implementation support is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.   -      It is understood that national funding, grants and investment will be used to incentivise delivery of the strategy.  This may result in resourcing opportunities to deliver against our own corporate objectives including Plan Tree, Plan Bee and Plan Sea (in development).  Once the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is published, we will undertake a review of our pollinator action plan and tree strategy to ensure they align.     

Content: Proposed decision –That the Cabinet Member for Environment, subject to endorsement from the supporting authorities, approve and adopt the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy on behalf of KCC,  and agree to undertake the required implementation and delivery oversight function post publication.   Reason for the decision   -      Local Nature Recovery Strategies have been created under the 2021 Environment Act and are a system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement that will underpin England’s Nature Recovery Network.   In 2023, Kent County Council was appointed the Responsible Authority for the development of the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy and have been collaboratively developing the strategy for Kent and Medway.   Background – Provide brief additional context   -      The Environment Act 2021 resulted from the urgent need to respond to the crisis facing our natural environment as the UK is currently classified as one of the world's most nature-depleted countries.   -      Recognising that any recovery of nature would need targeted, co-ordinated and collaborative action at the local level, the Environment Act set out the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies.  These were seen as a critical new tool for driving the national ambition to increase species abundance and reduce risk of species extinctions.   -      Following appointment as the Responsible Authority, Kent County Council commenced work in October 2023 to develop the strategy, including stakeholder engagement and public consultation. A redraft has been completed following the outcome of these sessions and consultation.   -      Following publication the responsible authority role focuses on supporting the implementation and delivery of the strategy, monitoring its progress and reviewing / republishing the strategy as necessary. The associated delivery plan will be created and owned by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board with oversight by KCC in its role as responsible authority.     Options (other options considered but discarded)   -      Option 1: Publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and support the implementation and delivery of the strategy and monitoring of its progress. -      Option 2: Do not publish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, or support implementation and delivery of the strategy. This is not an option as this is a legally required document. Kent County Council were also provided funding for the preparation of the strategy and hence to not publish would mean re-payment of the grant.   How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026   -      The proposed decision supports priority 3 in Framing Kent’s Future, one of the actions detailed in the Council Strategy is: Lead the development of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent and Medway, which will identify priorities for the restoration of biodiversity, map existing valuable areas of nature and make specific proposals to create or improve habitat and wider environmental goals. -        How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   -      Kent County Council will not face any financial burden for delivery of the actions in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The preparation and implementation support is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.   -      It is understood that national funding, grants and investment will be used to incentivise delivery of the strategy.  This may result in resourcing opportunities to deliver against our own corporate objectives including Plan Tree, Plan Bee and Plan Sea (in development).  Once the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is published, we will undertake a review of our pollinator action plan and tree strategy to ensure they align.      As Cabinet Member for (the Kent) Environment, I agree to:   APPROVE and ADOPT the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy, developed by Kent County Council as the Responsible Authority under the Environment Act 2021, subject to the formal endorsement by relevant supporting authorities   DELEGATE authority to the Director for Environment and Circular Economy in conjunction with the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board to publish the strategy and take any necessary actions to support its implementation and associated monitoring functions.   DELEGATE authority to the Director for Environment and Circular Economy in conjunction with the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy Board in consultation with the Cabinet member for Environment to make non-substantive revisions or updates to the strategy as appropriate during its lifetime   DELEGATE authority to the Director for Environment and Circular Economy to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision  

Date of Decision: October 13, 2025