Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and make the following resolutions:

1.    That Cabinet approve the submission of an application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the funding of a 5-year Strategic Wildlife Corridors Project.

2.    That Cabinet approve the annual contribution of £10,000 from reserves for 5-years as match funding towards the project and to allow the continued funding of the Council’s Community Wildlife Officer Post.

RESOLVED

1.    That the submission of an application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the funding of a 5-year Strategic Wildlife Corridors Project be approved.

2.    That the annual contribution of £10,000 from reserves for 5-years as match funding towards the project and to allow the continued funding of the Council’s Community Wildlife Officer Post be approved.

Mrs Plant introduced the report. She explained that in addition to Chichester Harbour, Pagham Harbour and SDNPA which are all important areas for wildlife in the district there are many other valuable habitats and species along the A27 corridor and surrounding areas. The wildlife corridors connect wildlife and Local Plan Review policies have been created to protect those links. Mrs Plant then explained that in order to secure a living landscape,  future enhancements are needed. It is therefore proposed that a bid be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund with the purpose of protecting and enhancing these wildlife corridors. The project would be in two phases in line with Heritage Lottery Fund rules. The first stage would be development and the second implementation. The bid must be submitted by March 2020 and needs to demonstrate the council’s commitment to hosting a Community Wildlife Officer post and the provision of match funding. The project will expand to the east of the city and continue the current work with local groups.

Mrs Evans added that the approach is ground breaking if the bid is successful it is hoped that the council will be used as a best practice case study across the country.

Mr Briscoe then provided positive feedback from his ward.

Mrs Taylor expressed the commitment of the council to the wildlife of the district.

Mrs Lintill then took the opportunity to commend the officer that prepared the bid.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions below.

RESOLVED

1.    That the submission of an application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the funding of a 5-year Strategic Wildlife Corridors Project be approved.

2.    That the annual contribution of £10,000 from reserves for 5-years as match funding towards the project and to allow the continued funding of the Council’s Community Wildlife Officer Post be approved.