Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Duty 2022

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Authority Directorates Consulted on Biodiversity Impacts

 

Directorate	Team	Conservation Champion	Template response	Meeting Requested
Community Services	Property Team	Y	Y	Y
Community Services	Infrastructure	Y	Y	Y
Community Services	Culture, Leisure & Registration Services	Y	-	-
Community Services	Corporate policy & Partnerships	Y	Y	Y
Community Services	Economic Development & Regeneration	-	-	-
Community Services	Environmental services & Public Protection	-	-	-
Education	Education	-	-	-
Education	Engagement, Performance & Community	-	-	-
Resources	Human Resources	Y	-	-
Resources	ICT	Y	-	-
Resources	Procurement & Customer services	Y	Specific discussions with team	-
Resources	Finance	Y	-	-
Social Services & Housing	Performance & Business Support	Y	Y	Y
Social Services & Housing	Performance & Business Support	Y	Y	Y
Social Services & Housing	Building Maintenance/ Housing	Y	Y	-
Social Services & Housing	Adult Care	-	-	-
Social Services & Housing	Joint Strategic Commissioning	-	-	-
Social Services & Housing	Childrens Services	-	-	-

 

Appendix 2 - Summary of Objectives and Action Themes

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

1.1 Programme of education and awareness raising activities accessible to the public and including events, newsletters, social media and press releases.

1.2 Work with public bodies to embed biodiversity in decision making.

1.3 Work with the private sector to embed biodiversity in decision making.

1.4 Work with specialist interest groups to improve understanding of the conservation status and ecological role of specific features.

1.5 Work with communities and landowners to highlight conservation features in their area and encourage their consideration in site management.

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

2.1 Provide clear, publically accessible information on the species and habitats of importance in Pembrokeshire, identifying status, trend, threats and opportunities.

2.2 Assist partners in identifying, developing and delivering actions to safeguard species and habitats of importance in Pembrokeshire.

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

3.1 Assist partners in identifying, developing and delivering actions to increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation in Pembrokeshire.

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

4.1 Work with site owners and site managers to reduce the fragmentation of habitats, setting individual actions in the broader, landscape scale context through initiatives such as B-Lines, the Long Forest and the Reconnecting Welsh Dragons project and others as they arise.

4.2 Increase resilience of species, habitats and ecosystems to the effects of climate change through improving the condition, extent and ecological connectivity of our nature-rich areas.

4.3 Encourage the use of natural solutions such as reed beds, buffer strips and contour hedge planting to reduce diffuse pollution and soil erosion.

4.4 Encourage the development and adoption of voluntary codes of conduct to manage the use of our environment within sustainable limits.

4.5 Encourage collaborative projects to tackle Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) at appropriate scales such as river catchments.

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 5: Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

5.1 Work with West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre to provide high quality data on the distribution of habitats and species and develop tools to use this data in order to identify and target conservation opportunities.

5.2 Support volunteer surveys by providing access to advice, training, equipment and signposting to citizen science initiatives.

 

NRAP Wales Objective

Objective 6: Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery.

NRAP Pembrokeshire Action Themes

6.1 Provide a strong local partnership to act as an interface between local delivery partners and Welsh Government / Natural Resources Wales. 

 

Appendix 3 – Questionnaire Responses

 

Resources Directorate - Procurement & Customer Services

Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management

Actions being undertaken: 

• Procurement strategy is being reviewed and best practices shared with staff.
• Tenders to be phosphate free – cleaning products/ detergents/ weed killer.

Actions to undertake:

• Use WG biodiversity toolkit and website for procurement. 

Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats

Actions to undertake:

• Aim to be phosphate free.

 

Education Directorate – No responses received

 

Social Services & Housing Directorate - Housing

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

Actions being undertaken: 

• Enviro surveys are done prior to maintenance activities taking place where it is believed there are wildlife impacts on housing and commercial /public buildings such as bat surveys, we are engaged with Trevor Theobald on this.
• All employees are briefed via 1:1s on the impacts of biodiversity and how it affects building maintenance

Actions to undertake:

• Further embed biodiversity thinking into day to day activities within building maintenance team.

Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management

Actions being undertaken: 

• Installation of bat boxes and bird boxes being considered at strategic points, funding to be confirmed for this and wider strategy.  For new builds these are included as part of the planning applications

Actions to undertake:

• Acquire funding for bird and bat boxes and request detailed surveys from others as to where these should go
• Through WHQS standard (currently under review with Welsh Government) understand and facilitate the wider water saving initiatives, and carbon savings, e.g. water butts, reed beds, planting trees etc.

Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation

Actions being undertaken: 

• Habitat side of things managed by Parks & Area Maintenance side of the Council
• From a Procurement perspective we ensure sustainable routes are used where possible, e.g. Procurement of sustainable timber

Actions to undertake:

• Continued engagement through wider Procurement when procuring contracts for building maintenance works
• Fencing we will look to incorporate species walkways when installing solid fencing.  This has been trialled for hedgehog walkways and consideration is not being given to adopt this into our maintenance spec.

Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats

Actions being undertaken: 

• Consideration given in all new build circumstances and part of capital project pre-surveys

Actions to undertake:

• Look at PPR and capital programme and look to incorporate installation of bird / bat boxes when we upgrade property exteriors

Objective 5: Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring

Actions being undertaken: 

• Records to be kept of where we have installed bird boxes and bat boxes to date to ensure others within the Council Conservation Dept can do monitoring
• Potential through social media to engage public and schools and children at local levels
• Engagement of existing workforce through volunteering to carry out monitoring of wider species and habitats.  Members of our team volunteer. E.g. Cardigan Bay Marine Protection Area and monitoring of species e.g. dolphins and seals

Actions to undertake:

• Compile documentation of where we have installed bird and bat boxes to date or are aware they have been found.  Keep future records
• Further engage team and promote volunteering activities, link through wellbeing initiative and team 1:1s

Objective 6: Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery

Actions being undertaken:

• Develop an additional delivery document to be included within day to day maintenance activities and capital projects where applicable
• Wider engagement of workforce within Wellbeing to volunteer for Conservation activities

Actions to undertake:

• Work with others to ensure wider governance includes building maintenance activities

 

Social Services & Housing Directorate - Performance and Business Support

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

Actions to undertake:

• Development of community growing project in Parc Cerrig Goodwick with expectation participation from the public and local schools.
• Wellbeing Earthday events planned with traditional skills sharing (woodworking and wood crafts).

Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation 

Actions being undertaken:

• Scolton Manor ground maintenance to include log and habitat piles, hedge row connectivity, bat,bug and bird boxes.

 

Community Services Directorate - Infrastructure

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team & Others– involve in-house ecologist expert for an initial assessment on any potential biodiversity conservation.
• Countryside Officers to engage and give regular tool box talks to contractors.
• Proactive promotion of invasive weed management
• Proactive working engagement with NRW
• Promote and challenge ecology report detailing concerns / issues with contractors, encourage feedback and inputs.
• Path Management to carry out an enviro walk through assessment before works start.
• Engage PCC ecologist
• Engage with NRW specialists and discuss and complete permitting requirements
• Check and review legislative requirements for project area ( SSSI, SAC)
• Bridges and culverts to assess and follow legislation and carry out enviro assessment of site.
• Build in Biodiversity improvements such as bird / bat boxes under structures
• Closer proactive working with contractors, via whatsapp, tool box talks, encouraging innovation.
• Putting projects through a design team in order to reduce risk / maintenance and also add environmental value.
• Increased collaboration within wider division input, drawing on skills and skills from other officers.

Actions to undertake:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – When coming up with a design concept we should have biodiversity a core element to be incorporated into the design, not just maintain or move habitats and ecosystems but go beyond and enhance/create new ones.
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer –SuDS including rainwater harvesting and green roofs are to be incorporated in the design of new / re- development areas.
• Countryside Officers – Transparent collaborative working with PCNP, NRW, NT, WWWT.

Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – A full ecological survey (If required) by an independent specialist conducts a report and provides findings with recommendations on protecting habitats/protected species located within development, or potential habitats.
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer – A full ecological survey and / or Environmental Impact Assessment by an independent specialist conducts a report and provides findings with recommendations on protecting habitats/protected species located within development, or potential habitats.
• Manage timing of vegetation cuts via with toolbox talks
• Use physical flags for warnings of specific habitats of interest within project area.
• Carry out surveys for birds, bats and any flora or fungi present ( several sites have a national rare species)
• Manage tree safe decline or pollard to allow safe standing dead wood habitat.
• Add biodiversity gain by carrying out targeted coppicing if permissions allow.
• Engage with partners / NRW Forestry section. Local wildlife trust and tree / ecologist as required.
• Ensure pipe and culverts are installed below water beds allow natural uninterrupted stream bed for natural regen.
• Coastal adaptation Task and Finish groups, with one specifically looking at the Natural Environment, to allow community engagement.

Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – Following advice from report, we implement measures to sustain or create habitats/plant life that needs to be moved or replaced or even introduce new biodiversity in an effort to enhance the location for both ecosystem and general wellbeing of residence that will reside in new development.
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer –SuDS including rainwater harvesting, green roofs and permeable paving are to be incorporated in the design of new / re- development areas.
• Add biodiversity management through good practices, habitat piles, leave dead wood, build in conservation cuts if beneficial.
• Assess replanting / natural regen Opportunities
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer – Coastal adaptation, in line with the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), where a policy unit changes from (for example) hold the line to managed realignment.

Actions to undertake:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – Requesting advise on creating new habitats for best suited biodiversity based on site location for the option to create new habitats, ecosystems

Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – Based on ecology reports/initial surveys, any new development that constricts habitat and travel of existing or potential wildlife is considered with layouts and landscaping.
• Introduction of tunnels/passageways if needs be
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer - Habitat surveys carried out in proposed development areas to ensure tunnels / runs / flight paths are catered for.
• Monitor and update invasive weed management and containment practices.

Objective 5: Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – we are constantly advised with regards to any biodiversity matters for sites and pick up on things to look out for in future developments and implement at the early stages of a projects development. Our in-house conservation team provide information for us to learn and be mindful of in our designs.
• Coastal & Rivers Engineer - Involve in-house ecologist expert for an initial assessment on any potential biodiversity conservation.
• Use of technology to create GPS of site for site management reports.

Objective 6: Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery

Actions being undertaken:

• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – Within RIBA plan of work stage 1, a process generally followed as guidance for all projects for architects, project engineers and engineers. Sustainability, Surveying and conducting full site investigations prior to principle design is taken place for all aspects to be taken into account, including ecology.
• Structural/Civil Engineering Team – Sustainability (including the Wales Future Generations Act), surveying and conducting full site investigations prior to principle design is taken place for all aspects to be taken into account, including ecology.
• Follow transparent tree risk assessment regime that reduces PCC risk liability but also has positive biodiversity outcomes.

 

Community Services Directorate - Policy & Partnership

Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

Actions being undertaken:

• Revised Integrated Impact Assessment to reflect key requirements of the Environment Act.
• Undertake engagement and support participation in the development of the Well-being Assessment and Plan for Pembrokeshire, which addresses the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act

Actions to undertake:

• Support services to improve the quality of information provided as part of Integrated Impact Assessments.

 

Appendix 4 – PCC Relevant S6 Activities & Appendix 5 – Events Potentially Linked to Climate Change

Introduction and Context

Acronyms

• MHWESG: Milford Haven Waterway Environmental Liaison Group
• NHS: National Health Service
• NRAP: Nature Recovery Action Plan
• NRW: Natural Resources Wales
• PCC: Pembrokeshire County Council
• PCNPA: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
• PNP: Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership
• SAC: Special Area of Conservation
• SACRAG: Special Area of Conservation Relevant Authority Groups
• SSSI: Special Site of Scientific Interest
• SuDS: Sustainable Urban Drainage System
• WLGA: Welsh Local Government Association
• WWBIC:  West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) is an organisation:

• that own/occupy an office building and whose functions are not directly connected to biodiversity and/or land management.
• that own, occupy or manage land and their own buildings and grounds, whose functions are connected with biodiversity and/or land management, or that can influence those who own or manage land.
• that own or manage land beyond their own grounds, whether their functions are connected with biodiversity and/or land management or not.
• Vice County VC 45 although does not have Planning Function for the area within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority;
• PCC is subject to the Well-being of Future Generation Act, is a statutory member of the Public Service Board and has a published well-being plan:
• Enhancing biodiversity contributes to and is affected by PCC’s commitment to supporting Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries European Marine Site, Milford Haven Waterway Environmental Surveillance Group and as Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Representative on the Welsh Government Marine Protected Area Management Steering Group.
• PCC Conservation Team consists of Common Land Officer, Definitive Map Officer, Landscape Officer, Historic Buildings Conservation Officer, Specialist Advisor Ecologist (post provides planning ecology function for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, PCNPA), Biodiversity Officer, Conservation Assistant and hosts the Biodiversity Implementation Officer and Nature Partnership Implementation Officer (Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership).
• Relevant corporate policies, objectives, performance indicators and monitoring arrangements are embedded across departments; each area will likely be developing an approach for reporting S6 activities with reference to the PCC S6 plan. This is co-ordinated by the Biodiversity Officer. 
• Enhancing biodiversity supports other policies and plans across the authority and there are specific objectives and actions within these plans:  
• Well-being Plan 2018
• Projects – Environmental and Climate Change Risk Assessment
• Protect our environment.
• Corporate Plan and Programme for Administration 2020-21
• We will promote pride in Pembrokeshire seeking to enhance its reputation as a place for exceptional environmental quality (Objective 5, monitored quarterly).  Action - to maintain and enhance the quality of all aspects of the environment in Pembrokeshire and its natural biodiversity (monitored quarterly).

 

Highlights, Key Outcomes and Issues

• Across Authority collaboration enables 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.  Funding which has been in three year cycles has provided some security (previous Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being funding for the Nature Partnership, plus the more recent Local Places for Nature programme). 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 out these projects and actions is also an issue.
• Conservation Team work closely with Property Tree Officer and Ash Die Back Team to continually assess tree condition/safety and consider safety works to trees with a retention of trunk where safe to do.
• 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.

PCC Amenity Team are trialling a cut-and-collect approach using Grillo (see photo p13) to managing amenity green space at various sites in Haverfordwest with seed and plug planting creating areas of meadow alongside current mown amenity areas.

Identifying Divisional Actions

Presentation on the “S6 Biodiversity Duty and Partnership Working” to PCC “Extended Leadership Team” comprising Chief Executive, Directors, and Heads of Service in January 2022. Heads of Services were asked to nominate a Conservation Champion who would liaise with the Biodiversity Officer and Conservation Assistant to identify activities within their service that have the potential to impact/maintain/enhance biodiversity (Appendix 1). Following this, a questionnaire was sent to the Champions or Heads of Service where a named person was not supplied. The questionnaire was guided by the 6 objectives of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales (NRAP, Appendix 2) which have been recognised to contribute to reversing the decline of biodiversity in Wales.

1. Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.
2. Safeguard species and habitats of principle importance and improve their management.
3. Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation.
4. Tackle key pressures on species and habitats
5. Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring.
6. Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery.

Upon receiving questionnaire responses (Annex 3), individual meetings with the conservation champions and the Biodiversity Officer were held to discuss responses and to provide an opportunity for further support from the conservation team.

Action Plan

1. NRAP[1] Objective 1: Engage and support participation and understanding to embed biodiversity throughout decision making at all levels.

 

Actions have been taken to:

• Embed biodiversity action across the organisation’s functions:
• Publication of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Pembrokeshire in June 2018;
• State of Wildlife report published 2016; 
• PCC Corporate Plan;
• Making commitments in LDP & LDP2 policies and; 
• Relevant Supplementary Planning Guidance;
• Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) reviewed to include Lighting;
• Incorporating biodiversity and the s6 duty into performance management, through Local Well-being Plans; 
• Green Infrastructure Assessments; 
• the Council signed the Edinburgh Declaration on Biodiversity in October 2021.
• Raise awareness across the organisation:
• Conservation Team provided Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Seminar for Officers and Members in 2017 & 2022.
• Ongoing early consultation and engagement with relevant officers in relation to plans/projects/strategies.
• Running seminars or providing information to highlight the importance and value of biodiversity and how we are contributing to action as an organisation.
• Contribute to annual Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership (PNP) Gathering and including invitations to Cabinet Member and Councillors.
• Face to face engagement with officers.
• Iterative process with incremental changes make it difficult often to quantify.
• Rise in consultations and requests for Preliminary Ecological Assessment from Departments has had resource implications for Ecology Officers.

 

2. NRAP Objective 2: Safeguard species and habitats of principal importance and improve their management

Actions taken to:

• Safeguard special species and habitats listed on the section 7 biodiversity lists, for example by:
• Providing suitable and appropriately managed habitats for protected species where appropriate – management for Willow Blister, Hazel Gloves, Grassland Fungi Assemblage through liaison with Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network (2022) reprinted updated “A Guide to Waxcaps in West Wales Booklet” 57 species including S7 fungi.
• Cleddau Reaches Project has included installation of 4 artificial otter holts around Haverfordwest - liaison/advice from The Otter Consultancy.
•  Improving habitat management, for example, for pollinators through Area Maintenance changes to cutting regimes and planting schemes;
• Using the planning system to “maintain and enhance” species and habitats for all planning applications – e.g. Bat Mitigation in situ enhancement and stand-alone bat houses provided.
• Maps developed for Ash Die Back management where high risk for Horseshoe bat road crossing and also Lobarion (lichens) Communities (annex 1 S7).
• Scolton Manor Project to provide invertebrate and bat roost opportunities through Arborist working on trees affected by Ash Die Back whilst retaining main trunk of tree in a safe condition.
• Involvement with PNP Project to erect Swift boxes & MP3 players on National Health Service (NHS) Hospitals, S & West Wales Fire Service stations.
• Discussing potential for further “waxcap grassland” knowledge with concerns over potential loss of important fungal sites to “Carbon Offset Tree Planting” projects.
• Land Use Planning Tool web-tool derived from West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC) Data.
• Contribute to the management of protected sites and species:
• Member of 3 Marine Special Area of Conservation Relevant Authority Groups (SACRAG, chair of two groups); fully engaged in this process, ensuring these sites are valued in decision making and contributing to their management where possible.
• The Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Rivers Cleddau and Teifi are both currently failing 2021 updated targets on phosphates established by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).  PCC is committed to tackling this issue alongside other strategic partners.  It has set up the Cleddau Nutrient Management Board (Chaired by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery) and is also a member of the Teifi Nutrient Management Board.  These new boards represent a strategic partnership which will develop a specific Plan to tackle failing catchments.
• Team building SAC site visits with Planning and Conservation Team;
• Support for “Self Cleaning Slipway” Project 3 year PhD Swansea University Student on PCC slipways within Milford Haven.
• Managing land around protected sites to buffer and join them up as part of resilient ecological networks e.g. Somerton Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Old Mill Grounds & Cleddau Reaches Project Haverfordwest.

Measures and/or indicators monitored or collected:

• Numbers of site, species and/or habitat action plans -  see PNP website
• Site, species and habitats status and trends, State of Wildlife report  published 2016
• Data from Planning from Annual Monitoring Reports^[2] for the local development plan
• Challenges - Significant changes to local NRW Teams/Personnel have impacted local biodiversity knowledge and expertise

 

3. NRAP Objective 3: Increase the resilience of our natural environment by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation

Actions taken to:

• Create or contribute to Resilient Ecological Networks[3] for example by:
• Restoring and/or creating habitats through revised County Farm policy to consider S6 Duty.
• Connecting or enlarging areas of habitat through PLANT Project with NHS/Tir Coed providing County Farm land for tree planting.
• Improving the management and/or diversity of areas of habitat managed by PCC.
• Contributing evidence to the Area Statement process - Conservation Team Staff attended several local seminars.

Measures and/or indicators monitored or collected:

• Green Infrastructure Assessments[4]
• Revised GI Project undertaken in 2022 – Conservation Staff accompanied Land Use Consultants LUC for town assessments
• Additional information: Collaboration with PCNPA “Stitch in Time” Invasive Non-Native Species Project.

 

4. NRAP Objective 4: Tackle key pressures on species and habitats

Actions to:

• Address key pressures:
• Reducing or where possible stopping the use of pesticides and herbicides by working with area maintenance managers.
• Procurement undertaking trial of “Phosphate Free” cleaning materials to assess effectiveness and cost benefit analysis – ongoing.
• Reducing the area of invasive non-native species through treatment of infested PCC land and working in partnership with “Stich in Time” PCNPA Project.
• Reducing, reusing and recycling resources – new procedures now in place to recycle more household waste.
• Climate change emergency declared.
• Notice of Motion relating to Climate Change 6 June 2019.
• Edinburgh Declaration signed October 2021.
•  Use biodivere and native nature based solutions wherever possible, for example by:
• Encouraging sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) - PCC is a SuDs Approving Body (SAB).
• Conservation Team consulted on Ordinary Watercourse Consents applications.
• Using native biodiverse urban green and blue infrastructure to manage temperature, water flow, soil erosion – including planting trees, grasslands and wetlands – Cleddau Reaches Project that includes “greening” within Haverfordwest Town Centre.
• Using natural flood prevention measures, such as swales and wetlands on Afon Solva in partnership with NRW.
• Providing local green spaces for communities and visitors to improve health and well-being outcomes through;

a) Cleddau Reaches Project – Old Mill Grounds & The Saltings

b) Pembroke pollinator planting & mowing changes

c) Goodwick Moor in partnership with Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

d) Supporting Councillors and Community Environment Groups (e.g. Eco Dewi, Llanteg and Amroth Renaturing Community, Brynberian, St Dogmaels).

Measures and/or indicators monitored or collected, for example:

• Encouraging departments to reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides and other products/practices that carry risk to biodiversity.
• PCC Procurement pilot project using phosphate free cleaning materials at Thornton Depot.
• Policies introduced to promote sustainability – Zero Carbon Working Group details available in Notice of Motion relating to Climate Change 6 June 2019.
• Use of nature based solutions where appropriate.
• Area of Invasive Non-Native Species reduced or managed.

 

5. NRAP Objective 5: Improve our evidence, understanding and monitoring

Actions to:

• Improve the use of evidence in decision making, for example by:
• Gathering and sharing evidence through discussions with neighbouring local authority officers e.g. Ash Dieback Working Group.
• Using the best available evidence for decision making, for example using West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC) live data in planning decisions through the development of a web based Land Use Planning Tool.
• Having regard to the section 7 lists of species and habitats, the State of Natural Resources Report, and Area Statements (Conservation Team Members have contributed to several NRW Area Statement workshops and seminars).
• Consulting relevant stakeholders/using expert input.
• Review of Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to include Lighting.
• Identifying evidence gaps.
• Undertaking research through;

a) SACRAGs

b) Milford Haven Waterway Environmental Surveillance Group

c) Partnership development of DNA Fungi Projects with Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network/Kew/Aberystwyth University.

d) PCC Biodiversity Officer/Ecologist is a member of Welsh Government Marine Protected Area Management Steering Group representing WLGA.

• Share evidence accessibly, for example by
• Making data available through Local Environment Records Centres.
• Ensuring environmental evidence is accessible to local communities through discussions with local groups and relevant Councillors.

Measures and/or indicators monitored or collected, for example:

• A Service Level Agreement in place with WWIBC.
• Planning decisions made using biodiversity evidence assessed through consultation/scrutiny with PCC Specialist Advisor Ecologist and development within Biodiversity SPG of “enhancement” element for the S6 Duty.

 

6. NRAP Objective 6: Put in place a framework of governance and support for delivery

Actions to:

• Ensure governance for biodiversity within your organisation, for example by:
• Cabinet Member with responsibility for Biodiversity ensuring the S6 duty is relevant throughout the authority.
• Provide capacity for biodiversity, for example by:

• Ensuring that where needed ecological expertise can be drawn upon, either internally or externally through provision of the PCC Conservation Team and close liaison with NRW Teams and relevant Welsh Government (WG) Officers.
• Encouraging and supporting volunteer participation in action for biodiversity by staff through Employee Volunteering Scheme - This scheme allows employees to take up to three days or equivalent (pro-rata) paid time off to volunteer.
• Encouraging and supporting volunteer participation in action for biodiversity by local communities through Community Regeneration Projects.
• Ensuring the S6 Duty is monitored and reviewed with support of WG and NRW.
• Support biodiversity action through funding and/or partnerships, for example by:
• funding and administrative support to Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership to facilitate cross sector working.
• in previous years, PCC cash contribution to PNP has been used to support local conservation projects and draw down additional funding. Ecological resilience is the core theme of these projects.
• Working with PNP and adjoining area Local Nature Partnerships to coordinate Action Plans.
• Supporting other environmental organisations and projects outside of the PNP – Working with other Public Services Board members to deliver best practice in S6 duty action. An example is the provision of conservation data to fire service to inform decisions on scene by incident commanders – Pilot Trail in NW Pembrokeshire area being rolled out to additional divisions.
• Supporting community environmental groups to survey and manage local biodiversity in a sustainable manner through WWBIC Recording Days and Community Biodiversity projects in conjunction with PNP.

Measures and/or indicators monitored or collected, for example:

• Relevant volunteer days undertaken.
• Grant and investment schemes supported through PNP Grants.
• Relevant Capacity - current staff continue to be employed despite the economic recession.
• local/national environmental groups actively or substantially engaged/supported e.g. Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network, Buglife, Plantlife, Bumblebee Conservation, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation & Amphibian and Reptile Group UK.
• Continued liaison with Wales Biodiversity Partnership Groups, NRW and WG Departments.

 

The S6 plan is a living document and will be updated accordingly as and when the need arises.  The reporting cycle for the Council’s S6 Duty is three yearly, with the next short report to be prepared in 2025.