Natural Cambridgeshire
To receive a presentation from Natural Cambridgeshire.
Decision:
RESOLVED:
A. To note the presentation from Natural Cambridgeshire.
Minutes:
Pamela Abbott, Director of Natural Cambridgeshire gave a presentation to the Committee (appended to the minutes). which introduced the organisation and gave an overview of their work and future plans.
During discussion the following points were noted:
a) Ms Abbott expressed her gratitude for the support of the Combined Authority, not only in terms of funding but also through contributions from constituent local authorities. This support had enabled the partnership to champion and celebrate activities across the region.
b) The pressures on land and people, as well as the rapidly evolving local authority landscape and national infrastructure changes were acknowledged which only served to emphasise the importance of a Local Nature Partnership in facilitating collaboration and coordination of nature-related activities.
c) The partnership produced two annual reports: a standard annual report and a broader document celebrating nature-related activities across all local authorities, statutory organisations, and environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). These reports ensured that efforts for nature were effectively communicated and understood. Additional funding had been secured to support these initiatives.
d) One of the organisation’s key work areas, taking a lead with the County Council, was the preparation of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.The Strategy consolidated district-level ambitions for nature into a cohesive implementation plan and the vision was to create a wildlife-rich, resilient, productive, and sustainable landscape, which considered agricultural heritage and opportunities for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
e) Public engagement on the Strategy has been extensive, with nearly 1,500 survey responses and contributions from 40 organisations, including faith groups, youth organisations, and libraries. Eleven events had been held with farmers and landowners to encourage engagement and collaboration.
f) The partnership has administered a £1 million Fund for Nature with £900,000 allocated to community projects. 36 applications had been received, 31 of which were approved, covering both urban and rural projects.
g) An additional £850,000 has been allocated for landscape-scale projects, exploring innovative funding mechanisms such as loans and revolving funds.
h) The second tranche of the fund would launch on 4 February, with a webinar for farmers scheduled for 11 February.
i) A proposal had been made for additional funding from the Combined Authority to support sustainable land use and outreach initiatives. The Partnership aimed to strengthen collaboration with farm clusters and landowners to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and access to funding.
j) Legal and structural challenges in accessing funds collectively were being addressed through expert consultancy.
k) A Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) site list was being developed with the Wildlife Trust to ensure high-value nature projects received appropriate investment.
l) A new business plan, commencing 1 April 2025, would focus on convening, listening, championing, and driving nature recovery.
m) A baseline for the state of nature was being developed to track progress towards nature recovery goals.
n) A project to restore lost species, including the Large Marsh Grasshopper, would engage local communities in conservation efforts.
o) Clarification was sought regarding the use of loans rather than grants. The community grant fund remained a grant-based initiative, while the ... view the full minutes text for item 6