Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of  the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport recommending that the Committee review and provide feedback on the draft Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Strategies prior to external consultation in July 2023

Councillor Keogh - Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration,

Lindsay McCulloch – Natural Environment Manger, Steve Guppy – Sustainability Manager, Samantha Munslow – Ecologist, Ian Collins, Director of Environment and Councillor Barbour were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVEDthat:

1)  Reflecting the ongoing impact of climate change, consideration is given to the reviewing the wording within the Executive Summary of the draft Biodiversity Strategy to provide clarity to the term ‘halt the decline of biodiversity in Southampton.’

2)  As the strategies are developed, work is undertaken to refine the targets and metrics against which success will be measured.

3)  With the recent events relating to the Outdoor Sports Centre in mind, the Council reviews its approach to Governance to ensure that strategies, policies and projects are compatible.

4)  To accompany the final versions of the draft strategies, a list is published outlining practical actions that residents can undertake to help improve biodiversity and the green infrastructure in Southampton.

5)  To support decision making, a guide, that is updated regularly, is produced for developers and residents that outlines the most suitable plants and habitats that will deliver the optimal impact on biodiversity and the green infrastructure in Southampton.

6)  To help deliver the Council’s Green Grid ambitions, the Executive encourages the master-planning exercises for the city centre to have reference to the Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Strategies.

7)  The Committee recommended that Cabinet, when determining their response to the recommendations within the River Itchen Inquiry, considers incorporating the appropriate findings within the Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Strategies and further develops our approach with respect to waterways.