RESPONSE TO THE BIODIVERSITY DUTY
INTRODUCTION
Statutory Duty
Under the 2021 Environment Act, public authorities (including town and parish councils) operating in England must consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
Government guidance published on 17 May 2023 clarifies that in order to comply with the guidance, town and parish councils could as a minimum:
consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity;
agree policies and specific objectives based on their consideration;
act to deliver their policies and achieve their objectives.
have biodiversity as an agenda item for a meeting (if not already, as soon as possible).
note what action they are already taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
agree what further steps they should take to conserve and enhance biodiversity
Town and parish councils, unlike other authorities, are not obliged to publish a report on their actions, but the Government guidance requires all public authorities to complete their first consideration of what action to take for biodiversity by 1 January 2024. They must agree their policies and objectives as soon as possible after this and must reconsider the selected actions within five years of completing their previous consideration, or more frequently if they choose.
Such steps may include:
reviewing what biodiversity or nature recovery plans are already in place from other local authorities;
making contact with local voluntary groups working on nature conservation;
carrying out a biodiversity audit of council landholdings and/or the whole council area;
gathering expert advice on possible actions in support of biodiversity;
drafting an action plan that covers action that the council will take itself as well as
support for the actions of other local bodies.
Whatever action is agreed, as a minimum local councils should ensure they address biodiversity concerns when commenting on planning applications these steps have informed the Policy below.
LETCOMBE REGIS PARISH COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY POLICY 2024
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the duty imposed on town and parish councils by Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, updated by Section 102 of the Environment Act 2021, Letcombe Regis, Parish Council (hereinafter referred to as the Parish Council) must regularly consider what action the authority can properly take, consistently with the proper exercise of its functions, to further the general biodiversity objective.
This duty also means that town and parish councils can spend funds in conserving biodiversity.
DEFINITION
According to Defra (Biodiversity 2020), biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It includes all species of animals and plants – everything that is alive on our planet.
Biodiversity is important for its own sake and has its own intrinsic value. A number of studies have shown this value also goes further. Biodiversity is the building block of our ‘ecosystems’ that in turn provide us with a wide range of goods and services that support our economic and social wellbeing. These include essentials such as food, fresh water and clean air, but also less obvious services such as protection from natural disasters, regulation of our climate, and purification of our water or pollination of our crops. Biodiversity also provides important cultural services, enriching our lives.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The object of this policy is to work towards conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the
Parish Council’s area.
The Parish Council will consider sustainability, environmental impact and biodiversity when making decisions and will develop and implement policies and strategies as required.
In particular, the Parish Council will aim to improve the biodiversity of the area in the following ways:
consider the potential impact on biodiversity represented by planning applications;
manage its land and property using environmentally friendly practices that will promote biodiversity;
support local businesses in the adoption of low impact / nature positive practices;
encourage and support and work with other organisations within the Parish to manage their areas of responsibility with biodiversity in mind;
support residents and local organisation activities to enhance and promote biodiversity.
ACTIONS
Planning Applications
The Parish Council will when commenting on planning applications, support site and building design that:
benefits biodiversity through the conservation and integration of existing habitats or provision of new habitats;
support protection of sensitive habitats from development and will consider
whether the development would mean the loss of important habitats for wildlife in respect of all applications;
include policies in support of biodiversity within the Community Led Plan.
Land and Management
The Parish Council will:
carry out a biodiversity audit or appraisal of its landholdings;
consider the conservation and promotion of local biodiversity with regard to the management of its open spaces, including adopting beneficial practices with
regard to cutting and removal of vegetation, and timing of maintenance work;
take special care in the specification of grounds maintenance contracts to ensure that contractors comply with this policy, and use only sustainably sourced materials .
Local Community
The Parish Council will, in partnership with the Letcombes Conservation Group:
raise public awareness of biodiversity issues, including through its website and newsletters;
engage with local businesses and residents regarding biodiversity in the community
explore potential for members of the community to assist and make a difference;
where feasible, involve the community in biodiversity projects on its land including, for example tree planting.
Partners
The Parish Council will work in partnership with other organisations to protect, promote and enhance biodiversity within the parish area.
It will maintain its role as a member of the Letcombe Brook Project Steering Committee.
It will review the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy Statement of Biodiversity Priorities and the Species Priority Lists and consider how it may become involved in implementing the strategies’ recommendations.
Monitoring
A summary of how the policy has been implemented will be published annually, with reference to the biodiversity action plan to show progress.
Under the Environment Act 2021, parish councils in England must consider how to conserve and enhance biodiversity, with the first consideration due by 1 January 2024 and subsequently every five years. While they are not legally required to publish a formal report like larger authorities, they must agree on actions, and it is good practice to publish these reports on their website.
This policy was approved at the Annual Parish Council Meeting on the 18th May 2026 and will be reviewed every two years or sooner should legislation dictate.
Signed
Jeanne Lapsley
Chairman Letcombe Regis Parish Council