Decision details

(i)  Adopt the Green Infrastructure Strategy Delivery Plan

The GI Strategy, adopted in January 2024, addresses the Council’s existing

commitments in the Green City Plan 2030 and the Corporate Plan 2022/30; it

also sets out how SCC will meet its enhanced biodiversity duty and statutory

obligations under the Environment Act, 2021.

Adoption of the GI Strategy Delivery Plan will require collaborative working

across the council and will encourage stakeholders, including business,

conservation groups and public sector organisations to work together to

deliver a shared outcome, making Southampton a cleaner, greener, healthier

and a more sustainable environment for people and wildlife.

The GI Strategy Delivery Plan is required to provide a clear set of goals, list

the lead officers responsible in delivering those goals and set the timeframes

we are working to. The plan will also enable us to monitor our progress on the

implementation of the GI Strategy.

In the absence of a GI Strategy Delivery Plan or where there is a delay in its

introduction, the council will be unable to demonstrate how it intends to deliver

the GI Strategy, the goals set out in the Corporate Plan or the Green City Plan

and how it is meeting its enhanced biodiversity duty under the Environment

Act, 2021. Penalties for failing to deliver on these plans and strategies are

unknown, however, there is a risk of reputational damage in addition to

incurring higher future costs in adapting to the impacts of climate change and

coping with the continued loss of GI across the city.