Issue - meetings

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

Report of the Corporate Director (Regeneration). 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report requested by the Cabinet Member to seek agreement to reinstate the planned contributions to the running of the Arnside/Silverdale AONB, and Forest of Bowland AONB Units, and the Countryside Projects budget for wardening services at the Council’s Local Nature Reserves. 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1: Not to make any changes to the reduced budgets.  This would result in a subsequent reduction in funding from Natural England for core activities and hence a need to reduce progress in implementing the two AONB Management Plans.  This would conflict with the Councils vision and stated aims to manage the environment in the district to the highest standards.  It would also create a considerable risk for the authority in corporate management terms by increasing the risk of an adverse Health and Safety incident on either of the Local Nature Reserves. 

Option 2: To reinstate the planned contributions to the AONB operations and the Countryside Projects budget, for consideration as growth as part of the 2010/11 budget.   This would avoid a cut in future contributions from Natural England, and enable the AONB Units to continue implementing the local authorities management plans for the AONB’s to current timescale.  It would also reduce the risk of Health and Safety incidents at the Local Nature Reserves to a mitigated level. 

The Officer preferred option is Option 2. 

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“That the recommendations in the report be approved.”

Members then voted: -

Resolved unanimously:

(1)     That the contribution to the operation of the Arnside/Silverdale AONB Unit be reinstated to £14,300 in 2010/11 with normal increases for inflation in subsequent financial years, and the resulting growth be included in Cabinet’s budget proposals. 

(2)     That the contribution to the operation of the Forest of Bowland AONB Unit be reinstated to £6,900 in 2010/11 with normal increases for inflation in subsequent financial years, and the resulting growth be included in Cabinet’s budget proposals. 

(3)     That the Countryside Projects budget for wardening at Warton Crag and Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserves be increased to £9,900  for 2010/11 with normal increases for inflation in subsequent financial years, and the resulting growth be included in Cabinet’s budget proposals. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Regeneration) 

Head of Planning Service

Head of Financial Services.

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision will avoid a cut in future contributions from Natural England, and enable the AONB Units to continue implementing the local authorities management plans for the AONB’s to current timescale.  It would also reduce the risk of Health and Safety incidents at the Local Nature Reserves to a mitigated level.