Local authority
“Biodiversity is important in its own right and we have international responsibilities and national and local systems to protect and enhance it. It plays a key role in underpinning local quality of life and giving a “sense of place”. Biodiversity offers opportunities for tourism, economic development, health promotion, sustainable communities and social cohesion” Defra 2007
Local and public authorities play a key role in conserving biodiversity through their roles in developing and influencing policies and strategies, planning and development control, owning and managing land and buildings, procurement and awareness raising, education and advisory functions.
Your “Biodiversity Duty” as a local or public authority
All local and public authorities now have a statutory duty to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising all of their functions. This came into force under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act in October 2006.
The new duty makes biodiversity a natural consideration in policy forming and the decision making processes in public bodies. It stresses the need to put biodiversity as a core component of sustainable development, where it underpins economic development and prosperity and while offering a range of quality of life benefits.
- How to integrate biodiversity into your authority’s services activities
- How the Tees Valley Biodiversity partnership is assisting local and public authorities to deliver their “Biodiversity Duty”
- Resources and sources of information for local and public authorities
Local Authorities, Local Sites and Indicator 197
Local Authorities have an important responsibility in terms of local sites. Read more…….
