Agenda and minutes

None.

Councillor Johnson declared an ‘other’ interest relating to Agenda Item 5, Local Nature Recovery Strategy (SCC), in that Moorlands Climate Action Group (of which he is an active member) would be involved in the community stakeholder group, possibly with Councillor Johnson as representative.

Also in relation to Agenda Item 5, Councillor Flunder declared an ‘other’ interest in that he was a temporary member of SCC Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The Group received a presentation from Staffordshire County Council’s (SCC’s) Nature Recovery Project Manager.  The presentation included information relating to:

·         Why we need a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

·         Nature Recovery Commitments from Central Government

·         New duties and requirements for Local Authorities

·         What is a LNRS?

·         How SCC are delivering their LNRS

·         Supporting authority duties

It was noted that SMDC had started work on nature recovery early and was ahead of many other Staffordshire authorities in the amount of work already undertaken.  A member highlighted that SMDC had created a Plan for Nature with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and that this Plan included a lot of the information referred to within the presentation, for example, habitat mapping and identification of key species; which was in addition to the Green Infrastructure Strategy.  The Biodiversity Officer advised that she was a member of the key LNRS Working Groups and that any work done previously was feeding into the process.  It was also noted that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was central to both the County and District Strategies.

The SCC Officer stated that implementation of the Strategy would depend on factors including the public consultation period and restrictions due to County Elections Purdah; and that Defra had communicated that there was some flexibility around the March 2025 implementation deadline.   

The SCC Officer advised members to continue to engage with the Steering Group as the appropriate forum for any feedback etc, as well as where any SCC updates would be provided; and to continue to ask questions.

Members requested contact details for the SCC LNRS Project Officers for any suggestions regarding the SCC LNRS.

Discussions were also held around the process for member consultation and SMDC approval of the LNRS, which was yet to be determined.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the presentation be noted with thanks.

2.    SCC LNRS Project Officer details to be shared with members.

3.    The process for member consultation and SMDC approval of the LNRS to be determined.

An Air Quality Presentation was provided to members of the Group, by the Principal Pollution Officer, which included information as follows:

·         Overview of Air Pollution

·         Air Pollution and Climate Change

·         Staffordshire Moorlands Air Quality

·         Air Quality Action Plan

·         Future Air Quality – new focus?

The Officer stated that invitations to the Air Quality Steering Group would be circulated shortly, and that all members would be welcome to attend.

Members discussed recent alterations to the Cellarhead traffic lights and the positive impact that this had had on reducing air pollution.

The issue of how to reduce the number of parents and carers dropping children off a school by car was discussed; and the potential for Park and Walk schemes.

Lack of suitable cycling and walking networks, into and within the towns, was discussed and options around finding alternative routes. 

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted, with thanks.