URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=328

Decision Maker: Environment Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: This report will explain the results of the public consultation on the draft Climate and Nature Strategy and seeks approval for the final version.

Content: The Climate Change and Sustainability manager introduced the report and provided detail on the consultation process, outcomes and content of the Strategy following the consultation period. He highlighted the following key points: ·   Workshops were held with both Officers and Members with the consultation taking place between July 23rd and September 30th 2025 using the emerging Consultation and Engagement Framework. ·   The consultation received 198 responses, and included in person events with key stakeholders. This compared well with consultations carried out by similar sized local authorities. ·     Between 80-90% of respondents supported or strongly supported the ambition and objectives within the Strategy. Over 2000 qualitative comments were provided, the full consultation responses could be found at Appendix B. ·     The results aligned with findings from other councils and international studies, demonstrating that Stroud residents considered the climate and nature emergencies to be significant and supported the Council’s proposed ambitions and actions. ·     The Strategy provided a good evidence-based support from the public to take into Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and would demonstrate that the Council wished to continue this work beyond LGR. The Strategy would also guide the Local Plan and other policies. ·     The Council did not currently have the full budget to implement all aspects of the Strategy, and therefore advocacy and strong partnership working would be required.    The following responses were provided to Members’ questions: ·   The decision before the Committee was to approve the Strategy, as it fell within its remit. ·   There was an objective to set up a monitoring system and performance monitoring could be used as a form of monitoring for the Strategy itself. Officers were looking at a separate system for assessing contributions made by services to achieve the objectives within the Strategy. The existing system of Ideagen would likely be used for reporting. ·   Officers wanted to ensure the Strategy objectives and Council Plan were consistent. They wanted the Strategy objectives to form a fundamental part of the Councils activities and ensure they could obtain the level of detail required through reporting by embedding the Strategies objectives and themes against the Council Plan performance monitoring and service plans. ·   Once the Strategy was approved, there was scope for a review however the objectives had already had a form of prioritisation as they stated what the Council could do or how it could influence others. ·   Resource focus would be directed towards statutory services, as these were required by law. The Strategy provided structure and granularity to be able to influence the statutory services. ·   The proposed Climate and Nature Partnership would build on the work of the existing Community Engagement Board seeking action and partnership with public bodies, businesses and third sector organisations to achieve the Strategy’s objectives. ·   The proposed action plan for advocating reductions in pollution of water courses encompassed all different types of pollutants. The services involved with this specific objective would contribute to the delivery plan on how to achieve it. ·   The Strategic Leadership Team, when reviewing service plans, would be able to apply pressure to services to ensure they were updating and embedding actions linked with the Strategy. The Committees would also have responsibility for ensuring the objectives were implemented. ·   Officers were exploring the use of Ideagen and wanted to avoid duplicate reporting against the Council Plan objectives and Strategy objectives.   The Chair, Councillor Pearcy, requested updates be brought back to Committee on how the monitoring had been implemented.   Proposed by Councillor Canning, seconded by Councillor Dutton.   Councillor Dutton highlighted the excellence and importance of the Strategy which incorporated strong principles and identified the delivery through different resources.    Councillor Mathews commented that the Strategy was comprehensive, far reaching and of critical importance. He reflected on the engagement which took place and the clear mandate for action.   Councillor Watson gave her thanks and stated the Strategy had come at a pertinent time.   Councillor Canning echoed the comments and thanks to Officers and looked forward to the seeing the change the Strategy would create.   On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.   RESOLVED To: 1.     Note the results of the public consultation 2.     Approve the final text version of the Climate and Nature Strategy 3.     Give delegated authority to the Climate and Sustainability Manager to make minor and non-substantive changes to the Climate and Nature Strategy, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Environment Committee.  

Date of Decision: December 4, 2025