Item 7

Cllr McCloy declared a personal interest as he was Chair of National Parks England.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 1^st October 2021 were agreed as a  correct record subject to the amendment that Ms Witter left the meeting at 12.20 not 12.40.

There was no urgent business.

To note any questions or to receive any statements, representations, deputations and petitions which relate to the published reports on Part A of the Agenda.

No members of the public had given notice to make representations to the committee.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Adviser introduced the report which requested Members approve the revised Occupational Safety and Health Policy 2022.

The OSH Adviser confirmed that the Policy was unchanged from last year, however operationally the pandemic had necessitated new measures including the introduction of blended working and a particular emphasis on health and wellbeing.

The recommendation as set out in the report was moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To approve the revised Occupational Safety and Health Policy (2022) as Authority policy from 1 January 2022.

The Head of Law introduced the report which informed Members of the items considered by the Due Diligence Panel over the last 12 months.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the item considered by the Due Diligence Panel over the last 12 months, as set out in paragraph 9 of the report.

2.    To note that the Panel reviewed the financial register of sponsorships and donations, the in-kind register of sponsorships and donations and the staff benefits register in June and October 2021

The Head of Landscape introduced a short presentation explaining how the following three reports tied in with the National Park England strategy for Nature Recovery and the Authority’s National Park Management Plan, Corporate Strategy and Local Plan.

The Head of Landscape then introduced the first report which aimed to inform Members about National Park England’s Delivery Plan for Wildlife in National Parks, and what this means for the Peak District National Park.  It was also explained that Farmers were being engaged in landscape protection, previously via a DEFRA Land Management Trial and going forward, via the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.  The PDNPA Farm Advisers were instrumental in this work and there had also been assistance from the National Farmer’s Union.

Work was taking place with local constituent authorities to develop one plan for the National Park so that delivery could be coordinated.  This would be underpinned by engagement on the National Park Management Plan.

Members discussed how work would be funded.  A suggestion was made that tying in with the Greater Manchester “City of Trees” scheme could be considered. Also Nature Based Solutions funding from National Park Partnerships would be distributed between National Parks.  Natural England were also considering biodiversity funding.

An amendment to add the Corporate Strategy to the recommendation was agreed.

The amended recommendation was moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To note how the Authority is currently taking forward National Parks England’s Delivery Plan for Wildlife in the Peak District National Park and how it is informing the Authority’s future National Park Management Plan and Corporate Strategy.

The report, which aimed to inform Members about the Peak District National Park’s Nature Recovery Prospectus 2021-2031, and how it fits with the National Parks England Delivery Plan for Wildlife, the National Park Management Plan, Corporate Strategy, the Local Plan, and the reviews currently taking place, was introduced by the Head of Landscape.

The Natural Environment and Rural Economy Team Manager explained how this work was linked to the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis, with England in the bottom three countries for biodiversity. 

Members questioned whether the prospectus was ambitious enough and whether the Authority was confident that its targets were enough to reverse nature decline.  Officers advised that they were confident that they were striking a balance between ambition and what could currently be delivered.   The prospectus represented a first attempt to cost these nature recovery ambitions and conversations would take place with government as to the funding of this.

Members discussed the effect of the COVID 19 pandemic and the subsequent renewal of visitor activity on the wildlife of the National Park.  The importance of engaging the public to care for nature and appreciate the fragility of biodiversity was emphasised.

The recommendation was moved.

An amendment was agreed to include the Corporate Strategy in the recommendation.

The amended motion was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED

To note how the Authority is currently taking forward the Peak District

National Park’s Nature Recovery Prospectus in the Peak District National

Park and how it is informing the future National Park Management Plan,

Local Plan and Corporate Strategy.

The report, which sought approval for a draft Wooded Landscapes Plan for the Peak District, was introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Economy Team Manager. 

Members requested information about the baseline data for the plan. Officers confirmed that information for trees within woodlands was held by Natural England however for trees out side of woodlands there was limited data.

Members thanked Officers for the plan, but observed that it was currently focussed on farmers and land managers. A  leaflet about tree planting aimed at residents and parish councils was requested, also potentially including advice about applying for any funding available. Officers agreed to consider this, as the benefit of involving the wider community in tree planting was acknowledged. It was also felt to be important to ensure the right trees are available for purchase and are then planted in the right places.

A motion to approve the recommendation was moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To adopt the Wooded Landscapes Plan, subject to any further amendments arising from outstanding consultation responses acceptance of which is delegated to the Head of Landscape in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Programmes & Resources Committee.

RESOLVED:

To note the minutes of the Member Climate change Steering Group held on the 6^th October 2021.