Issue - meetings

To update Members on the mid-term progress of the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The creation of the Council’s first Green Infrastructure Strategy 2015-2030 was to provide a clear strategic pathway for the management and enhancement of the Borough’s Green Infrastructure.  It was also to be used to inform planning decisions, identify opportunities to improve the green corridors and to provide information on how the Borough’s network contributed to the local, regional and national picture. This Strategy also aligned well with the Council’s Corporate Plan Environmental Objective which is to ‘Protect the environment for the future’.

Members noted the progress made with the Strategy and were informed that there would be joint working with other authorities in the future.

RESOLVED that option three be approved.  A one-off revenue development budget of £50,000 is required for the appointment of a Consultant to undertake the Green Infrastructure Strategy Review to be funded from General Fund Reserves in 2024/25.

Reason

The Council has enabling powers to propose and advocate for Green Infrastructure Improvements and work across its own estate and on wider sties. It forms part of the Council’s Local Plan evidence base and together with other evidence will help to ensure revised policies accord with the National Planning Policy Framework’s tests of soundness.