Issue - meetings

The Stour Valley is a regionally significant opportunity to ecologically restore a river valley landscape, with potential to support health and well-being outcomes, access to nature and for local livelihoods for the c. 500,000 people who live near to it.

A strong and supported governance model amongst the three core partners of BCP Council, Dorset Council and The National Trust will deliver the aims of the strategy and collaborate to maximise the environmental and other funding opportunities that are available.

It is RESOLVED that: -

(a)             Cabinet endorses the Stour Valley strategy and supports its inclusion as part of the forthcoming BCP Local Plan policies;

(b)            Cabinet approves the Stour Valley partnership model, using a Memorandum of Understanding between its core partners of The National Trust, BCP Council and Dorset Council;

(c)             Cabinet endorses that the core partners will bring forward fund-raising bids by the partnership to external grant bodies to support delivery of the Stour Valley objectives, specifically DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery Fund;

(d)            Cabinet approves a delegation of authority for future decision making to the Environment Service director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy;

(e)             Cabinet agrees the geographic reference for Hick’s Farm in Bournemouth Core Strategy policy CS36, was incorrectly stated at the time the policy was drafted and that Cabinet recognises that Hick’s Farm lies within Throop, not Muscliffe’

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

The Stour Valley offers unique opportunities for people, communities and for nature recovery along the river corridor. The objectives of the project closely align with the BCP Corporate Strategy, delivering a sustainable environment for future generations and connecting communities throughout the river valley.

Adopting the partnership model provides continued governance and oversight of the project and ensures on-going delivery of the key aims and objectives. It also provides a strong platform to submit funding bids that will lead to more targeted delivery.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Stour Valley is a regionally significant opportunity to ecologically restore a river valley landscape, with potential to support health and well-being outcomes, access to nature and for local livelihoods for the c. 500,000 people who live near to it.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that a strong and supported governance model amongst the three core partners of BCP Council, Dorset Council and The National Trust will deliver the aims of the strategy and collaborate to maximise the environmental and other funding opportunities that are available.

In proposing the report the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy proposed a revised recommendation at (e) as set out on the agenda this became the substantive recommendation as set out below.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the revised wording in respect of recommendation (e) sought to correct an error in relation to the drafting of Core Strategy 36 from Bournemouth Council, and that the revision was proposed to clarify that the council was not going to build something new in a different place, and that Hicks Farm exists and is a grade 2 listed building that is currently in the hands of a tenant of the council, and a series of farm buildings in varying states of decay and also varying states of value and interest and it was that that was always intended to be nurtured sensitively.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that there were a number of public engagement sessions taking place to ask the public what they would like to see in that group of buildings.

Cabinet members spoke in support of the report and the revised recommendation, thanking residents for their comments.

It is RESOLVED that: -

(a)             Cabinet endorses the Stour Valley strategy and supports its inclusion as part of the forthcoming BCP Local Plan policies;

(b)            Cabinet approves the Stour Valley partnership model, using a Memorandum of Understanding between its core partners of The National Trust, BCP Council and Dorset Council;

(c)             Cabinet endorses that the core partners will bring forward fund-raising bids by the partnership to external grant bodies to support delivery of the Stour Valley objectives, specifically DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery Fund;

(d)            Cabinet approves a delegation of authority for future decision making to the Environment Service director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy; and

(e)             Cabinet agrees the geographic reference for Hick’s Farm in Bournemouth Core Strategy policy CS36, was incorrectly stated at the time the policy was drafted and that Cabinet recognises that Hick’s Farm lies within Throop, not Muscliffe’

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

The Stour Valley offers unique opportunities for people, communities and for nature recovery along the river corridor. The objectives of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8