Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Duty 2019

Highlights, Key Outcomes and Issues

Highlights, Key Outcomes and Issues

• Across Authority enablers for biodiversity action through awareness raising and encouraging early/full consultation with Conservation Team for PCC projects and services, which also supports cost savings and avoids delays to the project.
• Notable or continuing negative impacts, Resources (staffing/funding) are considered barriers to fulfilling actions.  The 3 year ENRaW funding for the Nature Partnership has provided some security.  PCC, along with other local authorities continue with budget pressures and are seeking to make cost savings across the authority.  A lack of funds for projects/biodiversity actions and the staff resources required to manage and carry these projects and actions out is also an issue.
• PCC have operated roadside verge cutting policy since 2013 to benefit spring flowering/seeding species similar to the current PLANTLIFE proposals. Specific cutting regimes are implemented for verge reserves and with ongoing discussions with community/environment groups.