Agenda item

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Planning Officer proposing that the Council published the Biodiversity duty report and submit to Scottish Government by 1 January 2021.  The report explained that the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 required public bodies in Scotland to provide a publicly available report, every three years, on the actions which they have taken to meet this biodiversity duty.  The next report to be published by 1 January covered the period 2018-20.    Previous Biodiversity duty reports submitted by the Council to Scottish Government by 1 January 2015 (Reporting period 2011-14) and 1 January 2018 (reporting period 2015-17 could be accessed at:  https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/2211/biodiversity_duty_delivery_reports

2.2       Andy Tharme, Ecology Officer was in attendance to give a presentation on the Biodiversity Duty Report and Local Biodiversity Action Plan.   Dr Tharme explained that the delivery of biodiversity was cross-cutting over a range of Council services, for example, in planning major projects, engineering and green space management. The establishment of the Sustainable Development Committee, together with the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency would play an important role in meeting its biodiversity duty going forward.  Dr Tharme then discussed some biodiversity activity, such as guidance for planning applications to protect species such as bats, and the development of a Regional Strategic approach to maximise the benefits of new woodland creation.   He referred to recent biodiversity offset activity, mainly in relation to windfarm schemes such as Langhope Rig.   To compensate for the scheme the Council, working with Tweed Forum and Scottish Forestry, had delivered 77 ha of new native woodland which had benefited natural flood protection, controlled pollution and integrated forestry and farming.   Another offsetting scheme was the Penmanshiel Compensatory Replanting Scheme.  This was where a commercial plantation was felled and the Council took on responsibility, under planning policy, to compensate for the loss, by delivery of 110 ha new woodland.  This had created a range of community benefits in terms of recreation as well as enhancing landscape biodiversity.  Dr Tharme referred to other Council major infrastructure projects such as Dirt pot corner and Jedburgh Campus.   The required surveys for both projects and construction methods employed had protected biodiversity and species such as otters, bats, badgers and breeding birds.  Dr Tharme then referred to Greenspace Management, delivered by Neighbourhood Services, highlighting the creation of wildflower areas and wet woodland to balance amenity requirements with nature.  He went on to discuss the challenges ahead and the need to channel resources from other sources.   Opportunities would arise from Regional Land Use Partnerships, Borderlands and Natural Capital investment in the green economy.   Dr Tharme concluded this section of his presentation by referring to the loss of capacity in terms of outdoor education and the need to work with partners, such as the Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust, to facilitate delivery.  

2.3         In response to questions Mr Tharme advised that with regard to the measurement of acidity in rivers, SEPA oversaw the River Basin Management Plan and analysed water courses to retain good ecological conditions.  There was an online interactive tool

https://www.sepa.org.uk/data-visualisation/water-environment-hub/

 where further information was available.   The Committee suggested that SEPA, and perhaps the Tweed Forum, be invited to a future meeting to discuss the River Basin Management Plan.   Regarding grants available for tree planting, Dr Tharme advised that the Tweed Forum Borders Tree Planting grant scheme was available for smaller plots, larger plots could apply for a grant from Scottish Forestry.  Regarding developer biodiversity contributions, Dr Tharme explained that biodiversity was a component of compensatory requirements.   A Council working group was reviewing the developer contribution process.  In Scotland NPF4 to, be published next year, would determine how the Council could revise developer contributions.    It was noted that the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow next year, would be the important step for Scotland to make clear we were addressing climate change and biodiversity loss Mr Aikman confirmed that the Council would make representations for observers to attend COP26 and report back to the next meeting.

2.4         Dr Tharme then went on to discuss the Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 – 2028, the key policy drivers of which were the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, Scottish Government Purpose and Land Use Strategy.  Climate change was the key driver with priority to action in and around settlements.  Dr Tharme advised that consultation with stakeholders and local area partnerships had identified the key actions.     He advised that the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy had six key themes: Ecosystem restoration; natural capital; conserving wild species; habitats and protected places; sustainable management of land and freshwater; greenspace for health and wellbeing, and, marine and coastal ecosystems.   He explained the importance of ecosystem restoration to make space for natural processes, improving connectivity, habitat management and general water and river catchment, which would increase resilience to climate change and safeguard biodiversity.    Dr Tharme then highlighted some of the key activities from the Action Plan including: restoring woodland ecosystems, encouraging biodiversity offsetting and enhancements as part of development planning, natural flood management; integrating woodland with other land users; enhancing habitat for pollinators;  enhancing green space for health and  wellbeing,  conserving wildlife with initiatives such as supporting national species recovery, sustainable land management, ensuring appropriate tree planting, encouraging creative land and freshwater management projects.  He then referred to the Marine and Coastal Ecosystem with the focus on the Berwickshire Marine Reserve with initiatives such as marine/coastal wildlife recording, beach litter surveys and beach cleans, reducing plastics in the marine environment.   Dr Tharme concluded by quoting a Greek proverb “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in”, suggesting this was an appropriate mind-set to adopt a long term approach to ensure future generations’ sustainability.

2.5         In response to questions, Mr Aikman advised there would be an opportunity to respond to the NPF4 Position Statement consultation on national planning policy. The closing date for which was 19 February 2021.   Any changes to planning policy would need to flow from national government policy which would then be developed to relate to a borders context.  He would forward as an action for the Development Contribution Working Group.   With regard to peatbog extractions, Dr Tharme advised that partners, such as Tweed Forum, were active in terms of peatland restoration.  Habitat maps for the Borders, together with the national inventory of peatlands, informed planning policy and forestry planting.  With regard to biodiversity and the development of local place plans. Mr Aikman advised that guidelines were still awaited and policy documents would give cognisance to existing development policies; conversations with communities would need to take place to develop individual community place plans.  Regarding the Anti-poverty Working Group, there was a volunteer coordinator who was available to assist and support communities interested in the Food Growing Strategy.  With regard to the beavers, Dr Tharme advised that they would spread naturally as long as the habitat was suitable, the proposed LBAP action was to future proof habitats so that they could accommodate beavers.  With regard to mink, there was not a large scale eradication programme.    The Chair thanked Mr Tharme for his attendance and interesting presentation.

DECISION

NOTED the submitted report and that it would be published on the Council’s website and submitted to Scottish Government by 1 January 2021.