Agenda item

To receive the report of the Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services updating members on the work of the Council and the Local Nature Partnership in relation to biodiversity in Rhondda Cynon Taf and the future direction of this work.

Members were provided with a report presented by the Councils Ecologist. The Ecologist outlined the purpose of the report to provide an update for members on the work of the Council and the Local Nature Partnership in relation to biodiversity in RCT and the future direction of this work.

Members were provided with some background to the report with the Ecologist reminding Members of the importance of the Biodiversity Duty placing a duty on all public bodies to consider biodiversity in the work that it does and the challenges and opportunities this presents in terms of cross departmental working. This process has become embedded in the corporate performance culture of the Council and whilst much of this is routine, it is also encouraging some innovative projects.

The Ecologist referenced the Pen Y Cymoedd wind farm project and discussed the content of the detail set out in the report. He also highlighted the importance of the process of Planning on biodiversity outlining changes to Planning Policy Guidance from Welsh Government as set out in the report.

Members were reminded of the Nature's Assets report presented previously to the committee which has also led toa number of on-going projects associated with peat-bog restoration opportunities, the carbon storage, water management and biodiversity potential of Council owned land, schools, ancient woodlands and trees.

The Ecologist also provided an overview of an engagement project hosted through the Council’s ‘Let’s Talk RCT’ platform titled ‘Let’s Talk Wildflowers’ whereby residents were invited to identify areas they would like to see Wildflower management for consideration in future programmes of work. Members were told that the engagement had been well received and a number of responses had so far been received that will be reviewed in the coming months.

Further examples of community engagement were highlighted to Members through discussion around the Local Nature Partnership Plan and the Ecologist informed Members that the new plan was currently in the process of being written. Details of funding received as part of the plan and how it has been spent were pointed out to Members in sections 4.7 and 4.8 of the report.

The Ecologist also updated Members from the report regarding the Living Landscapes project and details of 29 pilot sites that have been identified. Members were also informed about the appointment of two biodiversity apprentices providing an opportunity to undertake practical works on these sites utilising supervision and training input from established staff, including the LNP co-ordinator and the graduate ecologist.

The Chair thanked the Officer for a comprehensive report noting the pleasing update regarding the various projects ongoing throughout the borough and the co-working opportunities these provide.

One Member also commented on the good practice of cross departmental working and the benefits of this across the authority. Praise was also given to the engagement being carried out with local residents regarding biodiversity through the ‘Let’s Talk RCT’ platform.

One Member raised a question regarding the presence of peat bogs and wetlands in RCT and why there may be an increase in these drying out. The Ecologist advised Members that a main reason for this would be drainage patterns.

The Climate Change Cabinet Steering Group RESOLVED to:

1.    To note the progress made in RCT in recent years and the increasing importance of biodiversity conservation in the Council’s work.

2.    To support the increased profile that all parties in the Senedd have given to biodiversity, which is reflected in the Programme for Government.

3.    To recommend to the Cabinet that the Council take full advantage of any grant funding available to continue and increase work on this issue.