Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Biodiversity Duty Report 2025/26

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Biodiversity Duty Report 2025/26.

As part of the Environment Act 2021, all Local Authorities and Local Planning Authorities within England were required to demonstrate how they had met the enhanced Biodiversity Duty.

This ensured that Local Authorities were working towards the delivery of the Environmental Improvement Plan for England, with government commitments to halt the decline in species abundance and protect 30% of UK land and sea by 2030, with greater commitments to be met by 2042.

A requirement to produce and publish a Biodiversity Duty Report every 5 years had been issued by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The report included actions undertaken within the current reporting period, commitments to deliver within the next reporting period and Biodiversity Net Gain data from the Local Planning Authority.

RESOLVED that the draft Biodiversity Duty Report, including commitment to future actions,  be approved for publication.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

This report and commitments within it have been discussed with Officers to deem them achievable and appropriate to each service.

As a statutory report, the Local Authority must report on its actions from the previous reporting period and actions committed to the next reporting period. This must be published by the Local Authority.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 22 May 2026