Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste

RESOLVED

That:

a)     the formation of a partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust be approved.

b)     the partnership document and endorse its aims and actions be approved.

c)      The recommendation to Council that the budget for 2020/21 include a green reserve of £571,000 for the costs of the Wilder Horsham District programme be approved.

Reasons for Recommendations

a)    To allow the partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to be formed, with the associated resources to achieve the aims of the partnership over a five year period.

b)    To provide a budget to replace trees lost to disease and pests etc. on Council owned land.

The Leader spoke on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture and said that Horsham District Council had already taken measures to protect and enhance the natural environment across the District and particularly on its own land. The report proposed to enhance this approach by establishing a unique partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. This would build on a long standing relationship that the Council already had with the Trust. The partnership would focus on ensuring that wildlife thrives across Horsham District by creating networks and expanding habitats.

The report sought approval to create the partnership and included a document which set out the actions that would be taken over the next five years. The funding requested in the report was £571,000 for the life of the programme. Outcomes from the programme would be regularly reviewed to ensure delivery, with associated adjustments to the budget. The Sussex Wildlife Trust were also contributing funding to the partnership.

The report also proposes establishing two funding pots in 2020/21. One to provide implementation funding for Parish Councils and communities wishing to undertake projects that complement the partnership and one to plant trees on Council owned land to replace ones that were felled due to disease and pests. These would require ongoing funding but would be regularly reviewed.

RESOLVED

That:

         i)        the formation of a partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust be approved;

       ii)        the partnership document be approved and its aims and actions be endorse;

      iii)        The recommendation to Council that the budget for 2020/21 include a green reserve of £571,000 for the costs of the Wilder Horsham District programme be approved.

 Reasons for Recommendations

     i)        To allow the partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to be formed, with the associated resources to achieve the aims of the partnership over a five year period;

    ii)        To provide a budget to replace trees lost to disease and pests etc. on Council owned land.